# NTSB FTW87DRD03: Sikorsky S-55C, N418A, Kurthwood, LA, February 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1987, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Kurthwood, LA
- Location: 31.3374° N, 93.1657° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kurthwood, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3374&lon=-93.1657&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD03

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE SURGED AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER DURING LOW ALTITUDE CRUISE FLIGHT ABOVE A DENSE FOREST. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED INTO THE TREES AND THEN FELL THROUGH ONTO THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N418A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N418A-2002-08-29), registration cancelled 2002-08-29, S/N 55482, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55C
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55c) (registry code 8141606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55482
- Engines: WRIGHT R1300-30 500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dennis W. Rogers, doing business as D & L Enterprises
- Registered owner: D. W. Roger/L. S. Rogers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: KURTHWOOD, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870203001589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870203001589A), Feb 3, 1987: Skrsky S55C, Kurthwood, LA, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the helicopter auto rotated into trees. Water found in fuel.

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.