# NTSB FTW87LA101: Sikorsky S-55B, N414A, De Quincy, LA, April 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1987, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: De Quincy, LA
- Location: 30.4490° N, 93.4457° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of DeQuincy, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4490&lon=-93.4457&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- 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 PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE SURGE FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER DURING A SWATH RUN OF A TREE SPRAYING AG OPERATION. THE HELICOPTER WAS OVER A DENSELY WOODED AREA AND AUTOROTATED INTO TREES. THE OWNER WAS AWARE OF A CARBURETOR PROBLEM AND HAD ALREADY OBTAINED A REBUILT CARBURETOR FOR THE ENGINE, HOWEVER, IT HAD NOT YET BEEN INSTALLED WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT CONDUCTED. THEREFORE, THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N414A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414A-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 55279, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (registry code 8141604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55279
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dennis W. Rogers
- Registered owner: Gulf South
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 5R8, DEQUINEY, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870423010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870423010879A), Apr 23, 1987: Skrsky S55B, Fields, LA, Substantial damage. Forced landing in trees after engine surged and quit during aerial application. Engine had a prior carburetor fault.

## Other investigations on N414A (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC74AN032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN032-201613), Oct 9, 1973: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), Nemacolin, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB IAD71AI001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI001), Jun 30, 1970: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), Davis, WV, substantial damage

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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