Sikorsky S-61A accident near Glady, West Virginia, January 12, 2003
On January 12, 2003 at about 5:20 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-61A (helicopter), registered N8170V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Glady, West Virginia. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of the left tailrotor control cable by company maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 12, 2003 · about 5:20 pm local time · cases in 2003
- Place
- Glady, West Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-61A · all S-61As on the register
- Registration
- N8170V · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter came out of maintenance, the captain and first officer conducted a test flight, and then ferried it to the area of operation. The next day, the captain entered a 155-foot out of ground effect hover, and an external load was connected. About the same time, the helicopter started a slow uncommanded yaw to the right. The captain applied full left pedal, released the load, and entered an autorotation. Examination of the tailrotor control system revealed that the left anti-torque control cable was broken. The break was associated with a pulley assembly, the cable strands were bent rearward, and deformed. The cable fracture surfaces were irregular, and also deformed. The associated keeper pins displayed wear marks, and light scratches consistent with control cable contact. The associated pulley was intact. The pulley channel contained an oil-based debris, and control cable fragments. Both tailrotor cables were removed and reinstalled within the last 5.3 hours of operation by company maintenance personnel.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,807 hours in all; 10,346 in this make and model; 251 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 1,400 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 28,360 hours in all; 10,725 in this make and model; 2,172 in the last 90 days; 53 in the last 30 days; 22,846 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 26, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,591.2 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 10, 2003; 5.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: General Electric CT58-140-1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric CT58-140-1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Glady WV at 5:00 pm
- Destination: NONE Glady WV
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from EKN, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N8170V: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Sikorsky S-61 54 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Sikorsky 824 aircraft on the register
- Engine: General Electric CT58-140-1 20 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: General Electric CT58-140-1 20 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in West Virginia 424 since 1982 · 54 in the last ten years
- West Virginia 885 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/NYC03LA037.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.