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Narrative: Crashed on pre-delivery test flight prior to delivery to HMX-1, when hovering at c200ft above a helipad at the factory site, killing the 4 Sikorsky test crew.
The swashplate duplex bearing failed. A Navy investigation determined that there were irregularities and cracks in the chromium plating applied to the bearings to inhibit corrosion. The faulty bearing was inspected and replaced on almost 200 CH-53 helicopters at a cost of $30 million to Sikorsky. An aerospace subcontractor pleaded guilty in 2001 to charges of falsification of quality records.