# NTSB NYC85FA145: Sikorsky S76A, N176FJ, Belmar, NJ, June 11, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1985, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Belmar, NJ - Location: 40.1868° N, 74.1246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MONMOUTH EXEC (BLM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1868&lon=-74.1246&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 4 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 35566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA145 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, hover - radio communications - not received, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not received, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual separation - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - rotor drive system - disintegrated - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field - maneuver - uncontrolled, pilot in command - Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb - visual separation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, descent - uncontrolled - flight control surfaces/attachments - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis (aircraft 2) DURING TAKEOFF & LANDING PRACTICE FOR A PRE-SOLO PLT THE CFI SAW A HELICOPTER, N176FJ, APPROACHING THE ARPT. N4956B, AT THE TIME OF 1ST SIGHTING, WAS ON A LEFT BASE FOR RWY 3. THE ROTORCRAFT APPARENTLY DID NOT SEE N4956B OR HEAR ANY RADIO CALLS AT THIS UNCONTROLLED ARPT. THE ROTORCRAFT CAME FROM THE SOUTH TO HOVER OVER A POSITION NEAR THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY BY RWY 3. THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING & N4956B WAS LIFTING OFF AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING WHEN IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE HELICOPTER. WHEN THE CFI WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT HE STATED THAT THEY WERE CAUGHT IN THE HELICOPTERS ROTOR VORTEX TURBULENCE. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N176FJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N176FJ-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 760237, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S76A - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76a) (registry code 8143006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 760237 - Airframe hours: 599 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C30S 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Raco Helicopters - Registered owner: General Electric Credit Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, April 16, 1985, 99 hours before - Departed: MRG, POINT PLEASANT, NJ - Destination: BLM, BELMAR, NJ - Airport: BLM, Belmar Monmouth Co., runway 3, 3,707 × 46 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N4956B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4956B-1989-11-22), registration cancelled 1989-11-22, S/N 15283723 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15283723 - Airframe hours: 235 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jack Spahn - Registered owner: Kyle And Kathleen Lunman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1985, 47 hours before - Departed: BLM, BELMAR, NJ - Airport: BLM, Belmar Monmouth Co., runway 3, 3,707 × 46 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N176FJ; age 49; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,672 total, 1,055 in this make and model, 8,296 as pilot in command, 197 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N4956B; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,744 total, 83 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NEL, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19850611023852A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850611023852A), Jun 11, 1985: Skrsky S76A, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Substantial damage. Main rotors were struck by a Cessna 152,N4956B,that had lost control due to the downwash of the hovering helicopter - [Accident 19850611023851A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850611023851A), Jun 11, 1985: Cessna 152, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Destroyed. Lost control after encountering wake turbulence from hovering 176FJ. Collided with main rotors, fell to ground. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.