# NTSB FTW92LA155: Sikorsky S-76A, N2620, Morgan City, LA, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Morgan City, LA
- Coordinates: 29.969823, -92.119659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9698&lon=-92.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA155

## Probable cause

THE SECOND PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,oil cooler drive shaft - sheared
  - emergency procedure - performed, copilot/second pilot
  - precautionary landing - initiated, copilot/second pilot
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - aerial
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - aircraft control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE SECOND PILOT WAS FLYING THE HELICOPTER TO AN OFF SHORE OIL PLATFORM WHEN THE OIL COOLER DRIVE SHAFT SHEARED ON THE NUMBER TWO ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR THE FAILURE AND INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY RUN ON LANDING AT THEIR DEPARTURE LOCATION. THE SECOND PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AS HE TAXIED ONTO A HELIPAD WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR CAUGHT THE EDGE RESULTING IN ITS COLLAPSE. THE TAILROTOR AND VERTICAL FIN STRUCK A TREE AND A FENCE BEFORE THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ONTO THE HELIPAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2620](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2620-1995-02-24), registration cancelled 1995-02-24, S/N 760211 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76A
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76) (registry code 8143010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760211
- Airframe hours: 10192
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-30S 700 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Mobil Oil Explor Prod Se Inc
- Registered owner: Mobil Oil Explor Prod Se Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1992, 1 hours before
- Destination: NONE, SHIP SHOAL 72, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 5LA2, Mobil Heliport, runway 7, 700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,582 total, 5,237 in this make and model, 13,871 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTN, 2 nm away

## 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 19920614020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614020049A), Jun 14, 1992: Skrsky S76A, Morgan City, LA, Substantial damage. Oil cooler blower shaft sheared. Oil red lined. Returned. Struck concrete helipad lip on taxi after landing.

## Other investigations on N2620 (1)

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 CHI95FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95FA035), Nov 9, 1994: Sikorsky S-76A (N2620), Cameron, LA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the copilot's failure to maintain altitude and the pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision of the operation. Factors include the dark night and low ceiling, and the flightcrew's failure to set the…

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.
