# NTSB NYC85FA092: Sikorsky S-55B, N90885, Port Elizabeth, NJ, April 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1985, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Port Elizabeth, NJ
- Location: 39.3099° N, 74.9714° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Port Elizabeth, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3099&lon=-74.9714&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AFTER A DECREASE IN RPM DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS BEING USED FOR A SLING OPERATION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, S1435-2500-1. THE CLUTCH HAD OPERATED ONLY 200 HRS SINCE A MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90885](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90885-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 55-3185, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky CH-19D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-ch-19d) (registry code 8141615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 553185
- Airframe hours: 3442
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300-3D 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Cordoba Helicopter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 4, 1985, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,888 total, 148 in this make and model, 5,580 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: EWR, 1 nm away

## 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 19850401010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850401010029A), Apr 1, 1985: Orlhel CH19SKRSKY, Port Elizabeth, NJ, Substantial damage. Landed hard and fell on side after a malfunction in the rotor clutch. External load operation in progress.

## Other investigations on N90885 (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 CHI78FEC50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC50), Sep 2, 1978: Sikorsky S55B (N90885), Pontiac, MI, destroyed

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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