# NTSB LAX76AL097: Sikorsky S-55B, N9389, San Bernardino, CA, September 22, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 22, 1976
- Place: San Bernardino, CA · SAN BERNARDINO, CA
- Location: 34.1083° N, 117.2898° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Bernardino, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1083&lon=-117.2898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 149767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76AL097
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76AL097

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3261  76/9/22  NR.SAN BERNARDINO,CA  SIKORSKY S-55B      CR-  3  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 1934
        TIME - 1956                    N9389               PX-  1  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 150 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DAGGETT,CA                  LOMA LINDA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- HELICOPTER MEDIC FLT. HIT PWR LINES IN PASS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9389](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9389-1977-01-25), registration cancelled 1977-01-25, S/N 55-1017, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (registry code 8141604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- 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 19760922036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760922036519A), Sep 22, 1976: Orlhel H19ASKRSKY, San Bernardino, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Helicopter medic flt. Hit pwr lines in pass.

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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