# NTSB MIA79FA023: Sikorsky S55B, N8307, Hanceville, AL, November 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 29, 1978
- Place: Hanceville, AL · HANCEVILLE, AL
- Location: 34.0640° N, 86.7644° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hanceville, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0640&lon=-86.7644&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79FA023
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA023

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3837  78/11/29 NR.HANCEVILLE,AL      SIKORSKY S55B       CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 2175
        TIME - 1910                    N8307               PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 28 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ORLANDO,FL                  HUNTSVILLE,AL                CLANTON,AL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO USE OR INCORRECTLY USED MISC.EQUIPMENT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - WEATHER SLIGHTLY WORSE THAN FORECAST
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          360                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- WITNESSES RPTD OBSERVING BRIGHT LNDG LIGHT ON BFR ACCIDENT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8307 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S55B
- 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 19781129041339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781129041339A), Nov 29, 1978: Orlhel H19ASKRSKY, Hanceville, AL, Destroyed. Witnesses rptd observing bright lndg light on bfr accident.

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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