# NTSB NYC73DKM19: Sikorsky S-61L, N402S, Black Mtn, NC, December 14, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 14, 1972
- Place: Black Mtn, NC · BLACK MTN, NC
- Location: 35.6147° N, 82.3255° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Black Mountain, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6147&lon=-82.3255&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC73DKM19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DKM19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3446  72/12/14   BLACK MTN,NC        SIKORSKY S-61L      CR-  0  0  4  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 3384
        TIME - 1145                    N402S               PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 794 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPARTANBURG,SC              ASHVILLE,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - RAIN
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  600
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       55
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- HELICOPTER WHEELS EQUIPPED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N402S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-61L
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- 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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