# NTSB FTW88LA082: Sikorsky S-76A, N1547N, Offshore Oil, March 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1988, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Offshore Oil
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - idling rotors
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON THE PLATFORM, THE COPILOT MOVED THE POWER LEVERS TO FLIGHT IDLE AND SET THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE TIP PATH PLANE TO THE HEIGHT NORMALLY USED. WHEN AN ENPLANNING PASSENGER CAME UP THE STAIRS ONTO THE PLATFORM, HE WAS STRUCK ON THE HEAD BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE INJURED PASSENGER HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO VIEW A VIDEO TAPE RECORDING THAT SHOWED THE PROPER PROCEDURES TO USE WHEN ENPLANNING OR DEPLANNING. ADDITIONALLY, THEY REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN GIVEN SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO BEND OVER TO LOWER HIS HEIGHT WHEN UNDER THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1547N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1547N-2008-01-30), registration cancelled 2008-01-30, S/N 760088, 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: 760088
- Airframe hours: 5776
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30 700 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: Tomlinson Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1988, 97 hours before
- Departed: 573B, OFFSHORE PLAT., GM
- Destination: BLOCK 573A
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,382 total, 1,819 in this make and model, 140 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880324015059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880324015059A), Mar 24, 1988: Skrsky S76A, Gulf Of Mexico, TX. Passenger was struck by rotors during emplaning. Approached from front and failed to duck per boarding instructions

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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