# NTSB LAX86FVG02: Sikorsky S-55, N8327, Afton, CA, March 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1986, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Afton, CA
- Coordinates: 39.449932, -121.389106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4499&lon=-121.3891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED OFF THE ARPT IN A FORCED LANDING AFTER A PWR LOSS. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED IN THE HARD LANDING. ENG TEARDOWN SHOWED THE R/H MAGNETO MODEL S7LV-2 HAD STRIPPED DISTRIBUTOR DRIVE GEARS. NO OTHER ABNORMALITIES NOTED. THE TSO OF THE MAG WAS CALCULATED TO BE 669.2 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8327 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55-231
- Airframe hours: 8600
- Engines: Curtis Wright R-1300-3D 700 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Avag Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1985, 190 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total, 4,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860321009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860321009469A), Mar 21, 1986: Orlhel CH19ESKRSKY, Afton, CA, Substantial damage. Forced landing made in a flooded clearing after engine power loss. Magneto distributor drive gears were stripped.

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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