# NTSB NYC86LA099: Sikorsky S-76, N221SC, Safe Harbor, PA, April 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1986, 03:45 local (08:45 UTC)
- Place: Safe Harbor, PA
- Coordinates: 39.759437, -76.180267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7594&lon=-76.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA099

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - descent - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE, LOW AIRSPEED, WHILE ON A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION AT NIGHT, LOOKING FOR A CAPSIZED BOAT, WHEN IT IMPACTED THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N221SC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760177
- Airframe hours: 1248
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30S 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: International Singal Corp.
- Registered owner: Intl. Signal & Control Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 27, 1986
- Departed: LNS, LANCASTER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,880 total, 325 in this make and model, 9,533 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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