Sikorsky S-55B accident near Gilbertsville, Kentucky, June 24, 1984
On June 24, 1984 at about 1:10 am local time, a Sikorsky S-55B (helicopter), registered N90414, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gilbertsville, Kentucky. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 1984 · about 1:10 am local time
- Place
- Gilbertsville, Kentucky
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-55B · all S-55Bs on the register
- Registration
- N90414 · no longer on the register · serial 55-3211
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT WAS USED FOR PUBLIC RIDES AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK. DURING THE TAKEOFF TO FERRY THE ACFT BACK TO AN OVERNIGHT PARKING SPACE THE ENGINE QUIT AT 100 FT AGL. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED THE ACFT AND HOVERED USING FUEL FROM THE AFT FUEL TANK. WHEN THE ENGINE COUGHED HE LANDED, SWITCHED TANKS AND TOOK OFF. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE QUIT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE AFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY WHILE THE FORWARD TANK HAD RUPTURED. SOME FUEL LINES HAD BEEN CUT FOR WRECKAGE REMOVAL BUT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND THE FUEL PUMP.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,550 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 1,410 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,215 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 1984; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,200 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1300-3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.