Pilot Debrief

SIKORSKY S-92A near Galliano, LA — 2010-03-22

Final reportCEN10IA169
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Date
2010-03-22
Location
Galliano, LA, USA
Airport
2LS0
Aircraft
SIKORSKY S-92A
Registration
N921AL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An unsecured access door, which departed the helicopter and damaged a main rotor blade and a tail rotor blade. Contributing to the incident was the helicopter's color scheme, which made visual inspection of the door difficult.

NTSB narrative

Prior to takeoff, the helicopter's upper Environmental Control System (ECS) panel was not properly secured. The helicopter departed to an off-station platform and returned back to the home base. At an unknown time during the flight the ECS panel departed the helicopter, resulting in damage to one main rotor blade and one tail rotor blade. The helicopter's ECS and auxiliary power unit panels were both painted the same color, impeding visual inspection of the panels for proper closure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Improper inspection of ECS panel security before flight.

NTSB coding

  • Miscellaneous/other · Enroute

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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