# NTSB FTW01LA176: Sikorsky SK-76A, N164AG, New Iberia, LA, July 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2001, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: New Iberia, LA - Coordinates: 29.714445, -93.911941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7144&lon=-93.9119&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA176 ## Probable cause the loss of control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - rotor system,main rotor blade - cracked - rotor system,main rotor hub flapping hinge/stop(s) - bent ## Analysis While on a cross country positioning flight, the pilot noticed that the in-flight ride was a "little rougher" than most S-76 model helicopters that he had flown. He decided to initiate an auto rotation RPM check. After disengaging the autopilot, he lowered the collective and retarded the throttles to idle. Subsequently, the nose "pitched up and snapped to the left to a vertical descent." After the pilot advanced the throttles, the aircraft began to shake "violently." Subsequently, he recovered "full control." After landing, a post flight inspection revealed damage to the main rotor blades and hub. Further inspection of the hub and blades revealed that all 4 blades had cracks about 1 foot outboard of the blade root seals. All 4 spindle assemblies and flap restrainers were also damaged. No impact damage was observed on the hub or blades. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2001, approximately 1745 central daylight time, a Sikorsky SK-76A helicopter, N164AG, registered to and operated by Air Logistics L.L.C., of New Iberia, Louisiana, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while maneuvering in the vicinity of Sabine Pass, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight originated from the company's base located at Intracoastal City, Louisiana, at 1700. The pilot stated that during run up at Intracoastal, the aircraft "seemed to have a bit of a ground track problem." He then proceeded to his destination (Sabine Pass) and noticed that the in-flight ride was a "little rougher" than most S76's that he had flown. About ten miles from Sabine, he decided to initiate an auto rotation RPM check. After disengaging the autopilot, he lowered the collective and retarded the throttles to idle. Subsequently, the nose "pitched up and snapped to the left to a vertical descent." After the pilot advanced the throttles, the aircraft began to shake "violently." Subsequently, he recovered "full control." After landing at Sabine, a post flight inspection revealed damage to the main rotor blades and hub. Further inspection of the hub and blades revealed that all 4 main rotor blades had cracks about 1 foot outboard of the blade root seals. All four spindle assemblies and flap restrainers were also damaged. No impact damage was observed on either the hub or blades. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N164AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N164AG-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 760290, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sikorsky SK-76A - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76a) (registry code 8143006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 760290 - Engines: Allison 250-C30S turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Logistics LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: LA09, Intracoastal, LA - Destination: 95XS, Sabine Pass, LA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 95XS, Air Logistics Sabine Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,053 total, 9,255 in this make and model, 11,536 as pilot in command, 269 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 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 20010710038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010710038129A), Jul 10, 2001: Skrsky S76A, Sabine Pass, TX, No damage. (-23) The pilot-in-command stated that the helicopter seemed to have a bit of a ground track problem (rough on the ground at full RPM). He proceeded to Sabine… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.