# NTSB MIA84FA004: Sikorsky S-61N, West Palm Beach, FL, October 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1983, 19:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.7153° N, 80.0534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Palm Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7153&lon=-80.0534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - separation (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - stress corrosion (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - fatigue (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING FOR A LANDING THERE WAS A SEPARATION OF AN OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE MAIN RED ROTOR BLADE. AN OLD CRACK WAS NOTED & THE FRACTURE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE FATIGUE DAMAGE INITIATING FROM CORROSION PITTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: YV323 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-61N
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 61472
- Airframe hours: 11973
- Engines: GE CT-58-140-1 1150 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 103
- Operator: Aerotecnica Ltd.
- Registered owner: Okanagan Helicopters, Lt.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 24, 1983, 16 hours before
- Departed: MYNN, NASSAU
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 7,200 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 1 nm away

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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