# NTSB NYC84MA270: Sikorsky S-76A, N63WW, Fort Dix, NJ, August 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1984, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Fort Dix, NJ
- Location: 40.0053° N, 74.6117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Dix, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0053&lon=-74.6117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84MA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84MA270

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCREW OF THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED MCGUIRE RAPCON & OBTAINED CLEARANCE TO PROCEED THRU THE MCGUIRE AFB CONTROL ZONE AT 1500 FT. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE CREW DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND HEARD A LOUD 'BANG' & OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY LOSE ALT. THE HELICOPTER RECOVERED FROM THE DESCENT & BEGAN A TURN TOWARD RWY 6/24 AT MCGUIRE AFB, THEN IT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT & CRASHED INTO WOODED TERRAIN ON FT DIX. TREES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE DAMAGED AT AN 80 DEG ANGLE FROM THE HORIZON. FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE ENGS WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH HALNON 1211 & AFFF AGENTS. AN EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A LEFT ENG FAILURE. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT FRAGMENTS FROM THE LEFT ENG TURBINE HAD IMPACTED THE RGT ENG WHILE IT (THE RGT ENG) WAS PRODUCING POWER. ONE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL CABLES & THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT WERE SEVERED IN THE AREA OF THE RGT ENG. A METALURGICAL CHECK REVEALED INDICATIONS OF HI CYCLIC FATIGUE OF THE 2ND STAGE GAS PRODUCER TURBINE WHEEL IN THE CURVIC COUPLING & LABYRINTH SEAL AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N63WW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760188
- Airframe hours: 94
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C3OS 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Capital Equipment Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Destination: AIY, ATLANTIC, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WRI, Mcguire Afb, runway 6, 10,000 × 200 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,100 total, 775 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRI

## 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 19840811044489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840811044489A), Aug 11, 1984: Skrsky S76A, Wrightstown, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Loud bang heard. Lost control. Impacted trees. Left engine failed debris hit other. Broke tailrotor shaft and cable

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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