# NTSB LAX75FVA29: Sikorsky S-64E, N6960R, Kernville, CA, October 19, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 19, 1974
- Place: Kernville, CA · KERNVILLE, CA
- Location: 35.7550° N, 118.4309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kernville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7550&lon=-118.4309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX75FVA29
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FVA29

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4289  74/10/19 NR.KERNVILLE,CALIF    SIKORSKY S-64E      CR-  1  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 2227
        TIME - 0900                    N6960R              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 510 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         KERNVILLE,CALIF              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOAD NOT JETTISONED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- 12100LB LOAD OF LOGS SNAGGED ON DEAD TREE.LOST CTL.EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6960R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-64E
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19741019036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741019036439A), Oct 19, 1974: Skrsky S64E, Kernville, CA, Destroyed. 12100LB load of logs snagged on dead tree. Lost ctl. External load operation.

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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