This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N93RT
- History of Flight:
On July 10, 2026, at about 0740 local time, a Sikorsky S-76D, N93RT, registered to Waco Oil & Gas Co Inc, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Huntersville, West Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Glenville, West Virginia, and was destined to an unspecified location.
Preliminary ADS-B data shows the helicopter on a continued cruise climb to an altitude 5,900 ft. About 19 minutes into the flight, the helicopter started a descent to 3,500 ft. At 0736, the helicopter entered a descending left hand turn towards Huntersville, West Virginia. The helicopter's groundspeed were averaging 115 knots, and the vertical rate remained normal throughout. The last few data points showed the helicopter over a small wooded area at 3,150 ft with a groundspeed of 67 knots.
Preliminary information indicates the pilot was most likely flying into a lodge in the Huntersville, West Virginia, area. The operator owns several plots around the accident site.
Figure 1: Entire ADS-B exchange track
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| Figure 2: End of track |
- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 57, held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for helicopter and instrument helicopter. The pilot held a type rating in the SK-61, but with restrictions for VFR only and SIC privileges only. His second class FAA medical was issued on 2/2026, with a note that he must use corrective lens(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.
- Aircraft Information:
The accident helicopter was a Sikorsky S-76D, serial number 761006, manufactured in 2013 and equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S turboshaft engines, a four-bladed main rotor, a four-bladed tail rotor, and retractable landing gear.
A 2024 sale ad (https://guardianjet.com/userfiles/files/Sikorsky%20S-76%20D%20sn%20761006%20Spec%2020240305.pdf) listed the following avionics as seen in the figure:
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| Figure 3: Avionics |
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.
- Weather:
The 0735 weather observation at the nearest airport indicated winds 270 at 11 knots, 1/4 miles visibility, fog, an overcast ceiling at 200ft AGL, distant lightning, temperature 18.5°C, dewpoint °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.11 inches of mercury.
Local media reported heavy fog at the time.
(1) METARs
METAR KHSP 101115Z AUTO 27011KT M1/4SM FG OVC002 18/18 A3010 RMK AO2 T01830180
METAR KHSP 101135Z AUTO 27011KT M1/4SM FG OVC002 19/18 A3011 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N T01850182
METAR KHSP 101155Z AUTO 26010KT 4SM BR OVC002 19/18 A3011 RMK AO2 70002 T01860183 10187 20180
METAR KLWB 101115Z AUTO 00000KT 1/4SM FG OVC001 18/18 A3006 RMK AO2
METAR KLWB 101135Z AUTO 00000KT 1SM BR OVC001 19/19 A3006 RMK AO2
METAR KLWB 101155Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM BR BKN001 BKN034 OVC048 19/19 A3006 RMK AO2 10199 20172 70011
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
172 FXUS61 KRLX 100957 AFDRLX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 557 AM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... 12Z Aviation Discussion Update. Flash flooding remains the primary concern through the weekend, though a few strong storms are not out of the question. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Remaining unsettled through the weekend, with potential for localized flash flooding due to excessive rainfall. Isolated storms could also be capable of producing strong gusty winds. 2) Quieter to start the new work week, uncertain thereafter. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... A shortwave crosses the middle Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians today while a frontal boundary remains stalled over Lake Erie, northern Ohio, and New York. This front is projected to start drifting south overnight, then a low moves out of the Central Plains and propels the front down through the forecast area on Saturday. Thereafter, both the front and the low meander away from the area early next week. Rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue to impact the area through the weekend, with most widespread activity occurring during the day today, as well as in the afternoon and evening hours Saturday and Sunday. Heavy downpours are likely to occur, courtesy of a moisture rich environment in which precipitable water values range from 1.5 to 2 inches. Soils will become increasingly susceptible to flash flooding as new rounds of precipitation impact locations that have already seen a decent amount of rain over the past couple of days. Thus, a Flood Watch remains in effect for the majority of the area through Sunday morning. While flooding will certainly be the main concern through the weekend, enough shear and instability may also be present to support a few strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts. KEY MESSAGE 2... Quieter weather is expected to take hold for the beginning of the work week, then another system could arrive mid to late week. At this point, however, there is quite a bit of uncertainty regarding both the timing and track of this potential system. && .AVIATION /09Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Heavy showers and thunderstorms will prompt MVFR or worse restrictions at times throughout the day, then a combination of fog, stratus, and lingering precipitation are expected to promote widespread IFR to LIFR conditions overnight. South to southwest winds will be light through the majority of the TAF period, though occasional strong gusts may be possible in storms. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and intensity of showers and thunderstorms could vary. Restrictions in fog and/or stratus tonight may be worse than currently forecast. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. DATE FRI 07/10/26 UTC 1HRLY 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 EDT 1HRLY 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 CRW CONSISTENCY H L L M M M H H M H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H L L L H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H M H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H L M M M M M H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H M L L M H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY L L H M M H H H H H H H AFTER 12Z SATURDAY... IFR conditions associated with showers and thunderstorms remain possible through the weekend. IFR conditions are also possible with fog and/or stratus each night and early morning, especially across valley locations. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for WVZ005>011-013>020- 024>034-039-040-515>526. OH...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for OHZ067-075-076-083>087. KY...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for KYZ101>103-105. VA...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for VAZ003-004. && $$ DISCUSSION...20 AVIATION...20
- Additional Information:
None.
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