# NTSB MIA80FLD93: Sikorsky S-55B, N31611, Titusville, FL, August 27, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 27, 1980
- Place: Titusville, FL · TITUSVILLE, FL
- Location: 28.5729° N, 80.8204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Titusville, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5729&lon=-80.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FLD93
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FLD93

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2434  80/8/27  NR.TITUSVILLE,FL      SIKORSKY S-55B      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 2200
        TIME - 0812                    N31611              PX-  0  0  1  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         TITUSVILLE,FL                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: EN ROUTE TO RELOADING AREA
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOOSE,PART/FITTING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  300                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERRY
          TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC         PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          GLOVES - USED                                            GOGGLES - USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT
          TERRAIN-TYPE -SWAMPY/WATER                               ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  10
        REMARKS- DISPENSING VALTHOME.RETAINER RING,P/N 5108-87,FOUND LOOSE IN CLUTCH ASSY HOUSING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31611](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31611), registered now, S/N 56-4255, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (registry code 8141604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800827037619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800827037619A), Aug 27, 1980: Skrsky S55B, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted forced landing when transmission clutch disengaged from rotor blade.

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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