# NTSB WPR19LA168: Sikorsky UH19, N955TC, Brewster, WA, May 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 28, 2019, 17:10 local (May 29, 2019, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Brewster, WA - Coordinates: 48.149604, -119.82086 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1496&lon=-119.8209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99595/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99595 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA168 ## Probable cause A reported mechanical malfunction and a hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky UH-19D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=814161G), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Sikorsky UH-19D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=814161G), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky UH-19D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=814161G), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command (PIC) was evaluating another pilot as a new job applicant. While the applicant-pilot was manipulating the helicopter controls, the PIC heard a “bang” and noted an overspeed indication on the tachometer. He subsequently took control of the helicopter and performed an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing, which substantially damaged the helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration and operator surmised that the main drive line system clutch and torque converter failed, which resulted in the engine overspeed. However, the operator did not respond to investigators or submit a NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Incident Report, nor was a follow-up examination of the helicopter able to be scheduled and performed by the NTSB investigator. Due to the operator’s lack of cooperation during the investigation, the NTSB investigator was unable to definitively determine the cause of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2019, about 1710 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky UH-19D helicopter, N955TC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Brewster, Washington. One pilot received minor injuries, while the second pilot was uninjured. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an evaluation flight. The day after the accident, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors interviewed the pilot-in-command (PIC) who informed the inspectors that the purpose of the flight was to evaluate the other pilot as a “new job applicant” for cherry drying flights. The applicant-pilot was flying the helicopter when the PIC heard a “bang”, observed the over-speed on the tachometer and saw the “applicant-pilot” frozen on the controls. The PIC took over the controls and executed an autorotation from about 20-50 ft agl. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, separating the tailboom from the fuselage and collapsing the landing gear, which resulted in substantial damage. The applicant-pilot was uninjured but remained in the hospital and was discharged the next day with no forwarding address or phone number. The FAA inspectors and the operator surmised that the main drive line system clutch and torque converter failed, which resulted in the engine over-speed. The NTSB investigator attempted to contact the operator to discuss future examination of the helicopter and to obtain the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. However, all attempts to contact the operator were unsuccessful, and the proposed follow-up examination of the helicopter by the NTSB was not performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N955TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N955TC), registered now, S/N 57-5961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sikorsky UH19 (D) - Registry model: [Sikorsky UH-19D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-uh-19d) (registry code 814161G) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 57-5961 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2018 - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2 - Co-pilot; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KOMK ## 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 20190528005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190528005319A), May 28, 2019: Sikorsky UH-19D, Brewster, WA, Substantial damage. PIC was evaluating applicant pilot for hire in this type aircraft for cherry drying flying. Applicant was at controls, rotor system lost power, aircraft had an… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99595. 1.8 MB in all. - NTSB roc notification (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11555993&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=G_A%20Notification%20-%20Monse%20WA,%20Sikorsky%20S55B%20(N32533),%205_28_19-Rel.pdf - FAA accident investigation notes (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11555776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Description%20of%20Accident%20N955TC05%20(003)-Rel.pdf - Email sent to the operator requesting information (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13125969&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Email%20not%20receiving%206120-1_Redacted-Rel%20(1)-Rel.pdf - Photos (courtesy of FAA) (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11554519&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.