Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698

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DateJuly 27, 1960 (1960-07-27)
SummaryRotor failure
Site
AircrafttypeSikorsky S-58C
Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698
A Sikorsky S-58 similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
DateJuly 27, 1960 (1960-07-27)
SummaryRotor failure
Site
Aircraft
Aircraft typeSikorsky S-58C
OperatorChicago Helicopter Airways
RegistrationN879
Flight originChicago Midway Airport, United States
DestinationChicago O'Hare Airport, United States
Occupants13
Passengers11
Crew2
Fatalities13
Injuries0

Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698 was a scheduled domestic helicopter service between Chicago Midway Airport and Chicago O'Hare Airport.[1] On 27 July 1960 it was operated by a Sikorsky S-58C helicopter which departed Chicago Midway Airport with two pilots and 11 passengers.[1] It crashed at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois killing all on board.[2]

The helicopter had arrived from Chicago O'Hare Airport at 22:15 CDT. It then departed on the return journey at 22:30 CDT in VFR weather conditions.[1] During the flight, part of one of the main rotor blades broke away and the helicopter descended to attempt an emergency landing. The tail cone and tail rotor broke away and the helicopter spun nose-down into the ground at the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park and burst into flames.[1]

Investigation

The Civil Aeronautics Board determined that N879 crashed as a result of structural disintegration in flight and caused by a fatigue fracture of the main rotor blade.[1]

Aircraft

References

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