# NTSB CHI80FEK18: Sikorsky S-55B, N16861, Rushville, OH, July 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 2, 1980
- Place: Rushville, OH · RUSHVILLE, OH
- Location: 39.7644° N, 82.4303° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rushville, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7644&lon=-82.4303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FEK18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEK18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1603   80/7/2    RUSHVILLE,OH        SIKORSKY S-55B      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 3159
        TIME - 1330                    N16861              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 980 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CIRCLEVILLE,OH              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL-ON/RUN-ON
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - NOT AVAILABLE
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1050                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- WTR,RUST & FOREIGN MATTER FOUND IN FUEL SYS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16861](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16861-2011-04-20), registration cancelled 2011-04-20, S/N 55-729, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (registry code 8141604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800702022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800702022789A), Jul 2, 1980: Skrsky S55B, Rushville, OH, Substantial damage. Crash caused by forced landing. Water was found in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N16861 (2)

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 CHI82DA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA150), May 4, 1982: Sikorsky S-55B (N16861), Otsego, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC70DHA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70DHA10), May 1, 1970: Sikorsky S-55B (N16861), Scotrun, PA, destroyed

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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