# NTSB Accident FTW97LA356
> **Sikorsky S-76A** · 1997-09-22 · PATTERSON, LA, USA · SERS
## 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.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=FTW97LA356) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*