# NTSB DCA79FA014: Sikorsky S61-L, N618PA, Newark, NJ, April 18, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 18, 1979
- Place: Newark, NJ · NEWARK, NJ
- Location: 40.7242° N, 74.1726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newark, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7242&lon=-74.1726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 13 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1979
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA79FA014
- Board report AAR7914 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7914.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA79FA014

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0013  79/4/18    NEWARK,NJ           SIKORSKY S61-L      CR-  0  3  0  SCHED DOM PASSG SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1823                    N618PA              PX-  3 10  2                            49, 12000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2500 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NEWARK INTL
        OPERATOR - NEW YORK AIRWAYS,INC.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NEWARK,NJ                   FLUSHING,NY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- T/R BLADE SEPD,THEN T/R GEARBOX,ROTOR ASSY SEP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N618PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N618PA-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 61426, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S61-L
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-61L](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-61l) (registry code 8142102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE T58 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-t58-series) (registry code 30008, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Newark Intl

## Other investigations on N618PA (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 NYC70AN095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70AN095), Mar 4, 1970: Sikorsky S-61L (N618PA), Flushing, NY, 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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