3 fatal · Sikorsky CH-54A · 1998-07-18 · YUCCA VALLEY, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX98FA236
Event ID
20001211X10621
Type
Accident
Date
1998-07-18
Location
YUCCA VALLEY, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.149517, -116.270835
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
3
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
Sikorsky
Model
CH-54A
Registration
N64KL
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
An in-flight main rotor blade spar separation as a result of the pilot-in-command's decision to continue to fly the aircraft after it had failed an AD directed BIM check. Factors were the failure of the operator's chief pilot to maintain proper supervision over the operation of a company aircraft with a known grounding deficiency and the improper repair to the main rotor blade by unknown persons, which damaged the blade's spar.