# NTSB SEA81FA050: Sikorsky S-58B, N4247, Bellevue, WA, August 7, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 7, 1981
- Place: Bellevue, WA · BELLEVUE, WA
- Location: 47.6104° N, 122.2007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bellevue, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6104&lon=-122.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA81FA050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA050

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3276   81/8/7    BELLEVUE,WA         SIKORSKY S-58B      CR-  2  0  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 0825                    N4247               PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              42, 9500 TOTAL HOURS, 380
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SEATTLE,WA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (GROUND CREW)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - RPM-UNCONTROLLABLE-OVERSPEED
           POWERPLANT - COOLING SYSTEM: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JETTISONED LOAD
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FOD TO INPUT GR,MAIN BEVEL GR.OIL COOLER REPLACED 5/5.SERVICING AT OIL FILLER OPENS MRGB CASE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4247](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4247-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 58807, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58b) (registry code 8141804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C9HE series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c9he-series) (registry code 67029, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810807048269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810807048269A), Aug 7, 1981: Skrsky S58B, Bellevue, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine backfired on hover sling load, exploded. Helicopter crashed in flames. Indicates object dropped in gear box.

## Other investigations on N4247 (2)

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 NYC71DHD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DHD33), Jul 8, 1970: Sikorsky S-58 (N4247), Salem, NJ, no damage
- [NTSB CHI69F0152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0152), Jul 28, 1968: Sikorsky S-58A (N4247), Robinson Creek, KY, substantial damage

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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