# NTSB CHI78FEC50: Sikorsky S55B, N90885, Pontiac, MI, September 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1978
- Place: Pontiac, MI · PONTIAC, MI
- Location: 42.6492° N, 83.2874° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pontiac, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6492&lon=-83.2874&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FEC50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3396   78/9/2    PONTIAC,MI          SIKORSKY S55B       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1230                    N90885              PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              AGE 49, 14614 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 625 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PONTIAC,MI                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- INPUT SHAFT,P/N S12-35-6072,NO TEETH REMAINED.STRUCK ROOF TOP MONITOR DURING EMERGCY LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90885](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90885-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 55-3185, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky CH-19D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-ch-19d) (registry code 8141615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19780902023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780902023729A), Sep 2, 1978: Orlhel H19ASKRSKY, Pontiac, MI, Destroyed. Input shaft,p/n S12-35-6072,no teeth remained. Struck roof top mon during emergcy lndg.

## Other investigations on N90885 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC85FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA092), Apr 1, 1985: Sikorsky S-55B (N90885), Port Elizabeth, NJ, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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