NTSB: ‘Urgent’ Action Needed on S-76

The ongoing investigation into the August 10 fatal crash of an S-76C+ in the Baltic Sea has led the NTSB to ask the FAA to take “urgent” action on several recommendations directed at the twin-turbine helicopter’s hydraulic systems. The aircraft’s flight data recorder showed that the helicopter “pitched up and rolled to the left, followed by a series of rotations to the right before striking the water,” killing all 14 people aboard. The investigation to date has revealed that a main rotor blade hydraulic actuator had an “uncommanded” extension, resulting in loss of control. Subsequent investigation found a “number of serious discrepancies within the forward actuator.”