# NTSB FTW86LA032: Sikorsky S-76A, N7612L, Grand Isle Bl73, January 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1986, 08:03 local (14:03 UTC)
- Place: Grand Isle Bl73
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - idling rotors
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Roll over, standing - idling rotors

## Analysis

THE ACFT ROLLED OVER IN A HIGH X-WIND AFTER LANDING WHILE DEPLANING PASSENGERS. THE ACFT HAD LANDED ON A MOVING BARGE. A LANDING INTO THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY A CRANE SO THE PLT SIDESLIPPED FROM A FLT PATH THAT PARALLELED THE SHIPS MOVEMENT. THE WIND WAS ACROSS THE BARGE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AFTER LANDING THE PLT DID NOT CHANGE THE X-WIND HEADING OF THE ACFT. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD THE RT SIDE OF THE VESSEL & THE WIND WAS FROM THE LEFT. THE PLT LEFT THE ENGS AT 'FLY' BECAUSE HE WAS UNSURE OF THE STABILITY OF THE POSITION BUT HE ALLOWED THE PASSENGERS TO DEPLANE. AS THE PASSENGERS DEPLANED WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT'S LEFT LANDING GEAR LIFTED SLIGHTLY OFF THE DECK. THIS REPORTEDLY HAPPENED 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT AS THE ROLL BEGAN HE APPLIED FULL LEFT CYCLIC WITH NO EFFECT. ONE WITNESS SAID THAT THERE WAS A STRONG GUST OF WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ROLL-OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7612L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7612L-2002-03-18), registration cancelled 2002-03-18, S/N 760054, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76A
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76a) (registry code 8143006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760054
- Airframe hours: 4225
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30S 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Logistics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 10, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: AMELIA, LA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,489 total, 1,111 in this make and model, 6,373 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19860105000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860105000189A), Jan 5, 1986: Skrsky S76A, Grand Isle, LA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Landed on barge with strong winds and rough seas. Wind blew helicopter onto its side, idling rotors hit platform.

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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