Accident: Sikorsky S61
Apr 20, 2020 · Camp Dwyer, AF
NTSB numberDCA20LA100Event id20200422X94542
- 0
- Fatalities
- 3
- Serious injuries
- 0
- Minor injuries
- 0
- Uninjured
Probable cause
Fatigue cracking of the auxiliary servo cylinder’s pedal damper check valve housing and its bolts, which caused the sudden and uncommanded movement of the helicopter’s left pedal and a subsequent left yaw that continued until ground impact. Contributing to the accident were (1) the nonconforming edge of the pedal damper check valve housing during manufacture and (2) Sikorsky’s lack of a specific inspection for the pedal damper check valve housing.
Source: National Transportation Safety Board. Record last changed Oct 28, 2026, 10:54 UTC.
Aircraft involved
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S61
- Registration
- N908CH
- Year built
- 1977
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rules
- Part 135: commuter and on-demand
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying Flight control sys malf/fail
Source: National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database. Counts only; Voydar holds no names.
This page restates the NTSB's public record. Injury figures are counts; Voydar does not hold or publish the names of anyone involved.