Sikorsky S-55-QT accident near Orlando, Florida, June 25, 2002
On June 25, 2002 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-55-QT (helicopter), registered N2300Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Orlando, Florida (Sanford airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the cyclic lateral control rod end bearing, and subsequent dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2002 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Orlando, Florida · Sanford · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-55-QT · all S-55-QTs on the register
- Registration
- N2300Z · registry record · serial 55-750
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a maintenance check flight of the helicopter, two auto-rotations at max gross weight with a neutral center of gravity were conducted. During the second maintenance check flight, on the initial run-up the pilot engaged the rotor clutch and heard a loud "bang". The cyclic control pulled from the pilot's hand, and the pilot rolled the throttle to ground idle to regain control the cyclic control. The helicopter rocked from left to right and rolled over on its side. Examination of the airframe found that the cyclic lateral control rod end bearing on the transmission fractured. Examination of the fractured surfaces showed features typical of overstress. No other mechanical or flight control malfunction was reported by the pilot.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,307 hours in all; 128 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 1,184 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,894 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 11, 2001; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,700 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: National Flight Service 331-100A-511s (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFB Sanford FL at 4:45 pm
- Destination: SFB Sanford FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 32 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from ORL, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.