# NTSB NYC86FA232: Sikorsky SK-76, N93AE, White Plains, NY, September 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1986, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: White Plains, NY
- Location: 41.0670° N, 73.7076° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTCHESTER COUNTY (HPN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0670&lon=-73.7076&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade spar - failure,total (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - poor, manufacturer (cause)
  - material defect, manufacturer (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

APRX 12 SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 400 FT THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TAIL ROTOR PADDLE SEPARATION. THE YELLOW PADDLE BLADE FAILED FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE RED. THE PLT REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A SEVERE VIBRATION. A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT INCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE COMPLETE PADDLE SPAR HAD FAILED AND SEPARATED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A BIRD STRIKE OR FOD DAMAGE. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLT AFTER THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N93AE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY SK-76
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760322
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: P&W PT-6B-36 1000 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: American Express
- Registered owner: American Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: HPN, White Plains

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860909046989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860909046989A), Sep 9, 1986: Skrsky S76, White Plains, NY, Substantial damage. The helicopter made a safe landing after tail rotor failure. Blades had manufacturing flaws in composite structure.

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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