# NTSB GAA18CA138: Sikorsky S76, N860AL, New Iberia, LA, February 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2018, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: New Iberia, LA - Coordinates: 30.037221, -91.881668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0372&lon=-91.8817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA, Sikorsky - NTSB case key (mKey): 96782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96782/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96782 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA138 ## Probable cause The helicopter’s striking of a pothole while taxiing, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8143008), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while the copilot was taxiing the wheel-equipped helicopter to the runway for departure, he saw a "bump" on the concrete. The copilot reported that he attempted to stop before the "bump," which turned out to be a pothole, but the helicopter struck the pothole with the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The pilot and the copilot both reported that the taxi speed was less than 5 knots. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the internal fuselage structure. The Director of Operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while the co-pilot was taxiing the wheel-equipped helicopter to the runway for departure, he saw a "bump" on the concrete. The co-pilot reported that he attempted to stop before the "bump", which turned out to be a pothole, but the helicopter struck the pothole with the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The pilot and the co-pilot both reported that the taxi speed was less than 5 knots. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the internal fuselage structure. The Director of Operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N860AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N860AL-2021-04-20), registration cancelled 2021-04-20, S/N 760527, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S76 (C) - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76c) (registry code 8143008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2S1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2s1) (registry code 60057, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 760527 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 9866 - Engines: SAFRAN Arriel 2S1 794 horsepower turbo shaft; SAFRAN Arriel 2S1 794 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Bristow US LLC - Registered owner: Helifleet 2013-01 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Unknown, February 4, 2018 - Departed: ARA, New Iberia, LA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ARA, Acadiana Rgnl - Equipment: Data recorder, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,674 total, 3,866 in this make and model, 6,895 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,277 total, 209 in this make and model, 6,284 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KARA ## 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 20180218002719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180218002719A), Feb 18, 2018: Sikorsky S-76C, New Iberia, LA, Substantial damage. The aircraft taxied from the fuel farm to the runway to prepare for departure. While on the taxiway, the aircraft rolled over 7 inch rise in the concrete… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96782. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Co-Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Co-Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF 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.