Sikorsky S76 accident near Istanbul, Tr, March 10, 2017
On March 10, 2017 at about 8:21 am local time, a Sikorsky S76 (helicopter), registered TCHEZ, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Istanbul. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 7 people were killed.
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
- March 10, 2017 · about 8:21 am local time
- Place
- Istanbul, Türkiye · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 7 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S76 C++ · all S76s on the register
- Registration
- TCHEZ · no longer on the register · serial 767017
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 10, 2017, at 0821 coordinated universal time, a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter, Turkish registration TC-HEZ, was destroyed shortly after takeoff from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport (LTBA), Istanbul, Turkey. The two pilots and the five passengers were fatally injured. The flight was destined for Bozoyuk, Turkey. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Turkish Government. Any further information pertaining to the accident can be obtained from: Ministry of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Accident Investigation Board Hanimeli S. No. 7 06430 Sihhiye Ankara Turkey Tel.: (90) 312 203-1431 Fax: (90) 312 229-7289 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Turkish Government.
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
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Sawn Air
The flight
- Departed from: LTBA Istanbul at 8:16 am
- Destination: Bozoyuk
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.