# NTSB NYC81FA020: Agusta A109-A, N86NR, Pittsburgh, PA, January 16, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 16, 1981
- Place: Pittsburgh, PA · PITTSBURGH, PA
- Location: 40.4406° N, 79.9959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittsburgh, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4406&lon=-79.9959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0832  81/1/16    PITTSBURGH,PA       AGUSTA A109-A       CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0800                    N86NR               PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 43, 11708 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            125 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PITTSBURGH,PA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- #7 HANGER BEARING FAILED.PLT DID NOT CLOSE THROTTLES.BEARING CVRS NOT RQRD TO BE REMVD FOR INSPTN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86NR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86NR-1981-02-13), registration cancelled 1981-02-13, S/N 7123 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AGUSTA A109-A
- Registry model: [Agusta A109A](https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-a109a) (registry code 0260112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- 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 19810116000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810116000549A), Jan 16, 1981: Agusta A109A, Pittsburgh, PA, Destroyed. Lost tail rotor control. Spun into river, rolled over, sank. Found seized tail rotor bearings. Failed to cut power.

## Other investigations on N86NR (1)

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 NYC78FGM19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FGM19), Feb 21, 1978: Agusta 109 (N86NR), Rector, PA, 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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