# NTSB FTW80FA094: Sikorsky S-58T, N69CH, Morgan City, LA, July 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 18, 1980
- Place: Morgan City, LA · MORGAN CITY, LA
- Location: 29.7103° N, 91.1915° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morgan City, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7103&lon=-91.1915&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA094
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA094

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2945  80/7/18  NR.MORGAN CITY,LA     SIKORSKY S-58T      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 48, 9273
        TIME - 1528                    N69CH               PX-  4  0  2  CORP/EXEC                 TOTAL HOURS, 2400 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EUGENE ISL.BLK.305B         VERMILLION BLK.214A
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- PAX HEARD LOUD SNAP ABV FLWD BY EXTREME VIB.PTNS OF MAIN ROTOR BLADES NOT FND.CO FLT PLN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69CH-1980-07-31), registration cancelled 1980-07-31, S/N CH58-524 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58T
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58DT](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58dt) (registry code 8141842) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800718079949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800718079949A), Jul 18, 1980: Skrsky S58HT, Morgan City, LA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Helicopter crashed into gulf. Witnesses onboard stated aircraft pitched over & pilot unable to regain control.

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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