# NTSB MIA66A0145: Sikorsky S-52-3, N9329R, Surfside, FL, June 15, 1966

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 15, 1966
- Place: Surfside, FL · SURFSIDE, FL
- Location: 25.8788° N, 80.1250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Surfside, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8788&lon=-80.1250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1967
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 171599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA66A0145
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0145

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0532  66/6/15    SURFSIDE FLA        SIKORSKY S-52-3     CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 3150
        TIME - 1515                    N9329R              PX-  0  0  2  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 1600 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. LOSS OF TAIL-ROTOR CONTROL DUE OVERLOAD FAILURE CABLE BRACKET DUE FRAYED CABLE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9329R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9329R-2025-12-15), registration cancelled 2025-12-15, S/N 128616 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-52-3
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-52-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-52-3) (registry code 8141306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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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