Plane Crash List

Sikorsky H34-G N8503J

1 December 1993 · Walterboro, South Carolina, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 1 December 1993 at about 20:25 local time, a Sikorsky H34-G registered N8503J, operated by William L. Mitchell III, was involved in an accident near Walterboro, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 20:25
Classification
Accident
Location
Walterboro, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates
32.8996, -80.6692
Aircraft
Sikorsky H34-G
Registration
N8503J
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
William L. Mitchell III
Operating rule
Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
Purpose of flight
Other Work Use
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
ATL94LA025

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

The seizure of the aircraft throttle to engine linkage for unknown reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING LONG LINE EXTERNAL LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AT A HOVER, WITHOUT A LOAD, AND THE AIRCRAFT THROTTLE SEIZED AT ABOUT HALF THROTTLE. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A GROUP OF TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE AND THROTTLE LINKAGE TO THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
27 Jul 1993 McDonnell Douglas MD-88
N948DL
Charleston, South Carolina, United States - No injuries -
18 Apr 1993 Myers AVID AIRCRAFT FLYER
N31187
Winnsboro, South Carolina, United States - No injuries -
6 May 1993 Extra 300
N694DM
Ridge Springs, South Carolina, United States Rutland, GUY E. Serious injuries -
9 May 1993 Rapp VAN'S RV-4
N743DR
Greenwood, South Carolina, United States Rapp, Russell D. No injuries -
13 May 1993 Jones LIGHTNING BUG 2
N200NJ
Walterboro, South Carolina, United States Jones, Howell C. JR. Minor injuries -
5 Jun 1993 Cessna 172F
N8279U
Ravenel, South Carolina, United States Hall, William J. Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States