# NTSB NYC74AN032: Sikorsky S-55B, N414A, Nemacolin, PA, October 9, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 9, 1973
- Place: Nemacolin, PA · NEMACOLIN, PA
- Location: 39.8823° N, 79.9288° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nemacolin, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8823&lon=-79.9288&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC74AN032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN032-201613

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3021   73/10/9   NEMACOLIN,PA        SIKORSKY S-55B      CR-  0  2  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1815                    N414A               PX-  1  0  0  FERRY                     AGE 29, 3935 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            93 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WAYNESBURG,PA               NEMACOLIN,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          HAZE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CP MISTOOK SURVEYED LDG SITE DUE DUSK & HAZE.PLT HAD TO AVOID PWR LINES,LOST CTL.HIT STEEL BOLLARD
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N414A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414A-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 55279, built 1952 (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: 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 19731009034299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731009034299A), Oct 9, 1973: Skrsky S55B, Nemacolin, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Cp mistook surveyed ldg site due dusk & haze. Plt had to avoid pwr lines,lost ctl. Hit steel bollard

## Other investigations on N414A (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW87LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA101), Apr 23, 1987: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), De Quincy, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD71AI001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI001), Jun 30, 1970: Sikorsky S-55B (N414A), Davis, WV, 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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