SERS · Sikorsky S-76A · 1997-09-22 · PATTERSON, LA, USA
Event
NTSB number
FTW97LA356
Event ID
20001208X08851
Type
Accident
Date
1997-09-22
Location
PATTERSON, LA, USA
Coordinates
29.689559, -91.300476
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
2
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Sikorsky
Model
S-76A
Registration
N517AL
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NDRK
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
failure of the copilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff, which led to an inadvertent descent and collision with a crop of sugar cane and the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate monitoring of the copilot, when he diverted his attention to adjusting the instrument lights.