CEN19LA146

Factual narrative

On May 15, 2019, about 1833 central daylight time, a Sikorsky S-76D helicopter, N761AF, sustained substantial damage while in cruise flight near Morrilton, Arkansas. The pilot, 2 crewmembers, and 3 passengers were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air medical flight. The pilot reported that, 43 minutes into the flight, he experienced fumes in the cockpit. He turned the environmental control system off and immediately descended. Within seconds, he received visual and aural warnings of smoke in the aft baggage compartment. He initiated an emergency descent and declared an emergency with air traffic control and subsequently landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the exhaust duct from the No. 2 engine was disconnected and not in its seated position. Exhaust from the No. 2 engine entered the compartment containing the tail rotor drive shaft and resulted in heat damage to drive shaft and surrounding areas. The exhaust ducts are attached using two bolts secured at 110 ft-lbs of pressure. Upon inspection of the No. 1 engine, as well as the operator’s second helicopter, all bolts were found partially disengaged and not tightened to the specified torque value. The pilot of the helicopter air ambulance flight reported that he experienced fumes in the cockpit while enroute, and shortly thereafter, received visual and aural warnings of smoke in the aft baggage compartment. The pilot initiated an emergency descent into an alternate airport, declared an emergency with air traffic control, and landed uneventfully. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the No. 2 engine exhaust duct was disconnected and unseated, which resulted in engine exhaust entering the compartment containing the tail rotor drive shaft and substantial heat damage to the drive shaft and surrounding areas. Examination of the No. 1 engine exhaust duct revealed that its attach bolts were not tightened to the specified torque value. Additionally, examination of the operator’s other helicopter revealed that the bolts securing both of its two exhaust ducts were not tightened to the specified torque value. The maintenance history of these components was not determined, but given the available information, it is likely that they were improperly secured, which resulted in their loosening and subsequently allowed the exhaust duct to become unseated. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Misc hardware-Fasteners-Incorrect service/maintenance
• — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine exhaust-(general)-Incorrect service/maintenance
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-(general)-Maintenance personnel