# NTSB DEN82DA139: Sikorsky S-55B, N6704, Wahpeton, ND, July 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1982, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Wahpeton, ND
- Coordinates: 46.26015, -96.599555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2602&lon=-96.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING HIS LAST LOAD OF CHEMICAL, THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO COMPLETE TWO SPRAY PASSES TO FINISH THE FIELD BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE FUEL TRUCK. HE COMPLETED THE PASSES, THEN PULLED TO ABOUT 150 FT AGL TO FLY ABOUT THREE MILES TO REFUEL. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE INTENDED LANDING POINT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST AT ABOUT 50 KIAS WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. HE STATED THAT HE ENTERED AN AUTO ROTATION, BUT WAS TOO LOW TO TURN INTO THE WIND, WHICH WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10, GUSTING 15 KTS. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING A LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6704 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55-1148
- Airframe hours: 6277
- Engines: WRIGHT 1300-3D 800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Paul Gorder
- Registered owner: Paul Gorder
- Departed: WAHPETON, NC
- Destination: WAHPETON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,736 total, 172 in this make and model, 1,195 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820730033879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820730033879A), Jul 30, 1982: Skrsky S55B, Wahpeton, ND, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit.

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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