# NTSB DCA69A0003: Sikorsky S-61L, N300Y, Compton, CA, August 14, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 14, 1968
- Place: Compton, CA · COMPTON, CA
- Location: 33.8940° N, 118.2275° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Compton, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8940&lon=-118.2275&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 21 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1969
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA69A0003
- Board report AAR6907 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR6907.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA69A0003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0016  68/8/14    COMPTON,CALIF       SIKORSKY S-61L      CR-  3  0  0  SCHED DOM PASSG SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0935                    N300Y               PX- 18  0  0                            32, 5877 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            4300 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        OPERATOR - LOS ANGELES AIRWAYS,INC.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FATIGUE ORIGIN IN AREA OF SUBSTANDARD HARDNESS AND INADEQUATE SHOT PEENING ON M/R BLADE SPINDLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300Y-1970-06-29), registration cancelled 1970-06-29, S/N 61031, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-61L
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-61L](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-61l) (registry code 8142102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N300Y (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 LAX66A0080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0080), Apr 29, 1966: Sikorsky S-61L (N300Y), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX64A0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX64A0002), Jul 15, 1963: Sikorski S-61L (N300Y), Los Angeles, CA, 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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