So Far, No Mechanical Problems Found In Either Case

The NTSB Tuesday issued an update on its investigations into two mishaps involving helicopters based in New York. In both cases, the aircraft ended up in the East River shortly after take-off.

June 14, 2005 Crash Of Bell 206L

The helicopter engine is being transported from secure storage to Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana, for a scheduled teardown inspection under the supervision of NTSB investigators. To date, the investigation has not revealed any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The investigative team is in the process of completing a weight and balance calculation for the accident flight, and reviewing the helicopter's takeoff performance data for the given weight and weather conditions. 

The NTSB identification number for this investigation is NYC05FA099. The Investigator-in-Charge is Bob Gretz of the NTSB's Northeast Regional Office in Parsippany, New Jersey.

June 17, 2005 Crash Of Sikorsky S-76C Plus

The helicopter's rotors, flight controls, and transmission have been examined. The rotors and flight controls were examined at a recovery facility in Delaware under the supervision of the NTSB. The main transmission was examined at the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation plant in Stratford, Connecticut under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration. There were no mechanical anomalies noted.

The helicopter engines were examined at the manufacturer's facility, Turbomeca, USA, Grand Prairie, Texas, under the supervision of the NTSB. A visual examination of each engine revealed a single bent compressor blade on the number one engine. No bent compressor blades were observed on the second engine. A borescope examination of each engine revealed no anomalies. The engines were placed in a test stand, and both engines ran utilizing Digital Engine Control Units (DECU) provided by Turbomeca, USA.

The DECUs from the accident helicopter were shipped to the Bureau d'Enquetes Accidents (BEA), France, where investigators will attempt to extract recorded flight data under the supervision of BEA investigators.

The NTSB identification number for this investigation is IAD05FA078. The Investigator-in-Charge is Brian Rayner of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Ashburn, Virginia.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov