# NTSB NYC86IA109: Sikorsky S-76, N38, Atlantic City, NJ, March 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic City, NJ
- Location: 39.4576° N, 74.5772° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ATLANTIC CITY INTL (ACY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4576&lon=-74.5772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86IA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86IA109

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - vertical stabilizer surface - penetrated (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - misjudged, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PREFLIGHT EXAMINATION OF A SIKORSKY S76 THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE PYLON ABOVE THE INTERMEDIATE GEAR BOX AND SCUFF MARK ON THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAPS. THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT HAD JUST COMPLETED A 2.1 HR TRAINING SESSION THAT CONSISTED OF 18 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, AND WERE ABOUT TO BEGIN A SECOND SESSION WHEN THE DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED. THE TIME OF DAMAGE OCCURRENCE IS UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38-2019-10-03), registration cancelled 2019-10-03, S/N 760087, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76
- 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: 760087
- Airframe hours: 870
- Engines: ALLISON 250-30-S 650 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tech. Center FAA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1986
- Departed: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ACY, Atlantic City, runway 6, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,639 total, 58 in this make and model, 4,185 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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