# NTSB IAD71AI001: Sikorsky S-55B, N414A, Davis, WV, June 30, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 30, 1970
- Place: Davis, WV · DAVIS, WV
- Location: 39.1279° N, 79.4603° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Davis, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1279&lon=-79.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD71AI001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI001

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1407  70/6/30  NR.DAVIS,W VA         SIKORSKY S-55B      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0940                    N414A               PX-  0  0  8  NS CTR PASSG              AGE 37, 3554 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            63 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         DAVIS,W VA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  UNUSUAL NOISE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      4500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       65
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- T/O DOWNWIND,NEAR GROSS WT APRX 7200LBS.DID NOT OBTAIN TRANSLATIONAL LIFT.
```

## 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 FTW87LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA101), Apr 23, 1987: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), De Quincy, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC74AN032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN032-201613), Oct 9, 1973: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), Nemacolin, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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