Sikorsky S-58BT N94AH
13 July 1988 · Marina del Rey, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 July 1988 at about 23:35 local time, a Sikorsky S-58BT registered N94AH, operated by Aris Helicopters, Ltd, was involved in an accident near Marina del Rey, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Marina del Rey, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.9807, -118.4606
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58BT
- Registration
- N94AH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Aris Helicopters, Ltd
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Los Angeles → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX88FA254
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A DUEL ENGINE FLAMEOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE SIKORSKY S58T.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS PERFORMING EXTERNAL LOAD WORK TO AND FROM THE ROOF OF A 15 STORY CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX IN A HEAVELY BUILT-UP AREA. THE PILOT SAID THAT JUST AFTER LIFTING A LOAD FROM THE ROOF HE EXPERIENCED A DUAL ENGINE FLAME OUT AND HE EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE AREA. A MARINA HARBOR CHANNEL. WITNESSES HEARD A DEFINITE SOUND CHANGE INVOLVING BOTH THE ROTOR AND THE ENGINE NOISE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS SET UP TO FEED BOTH ENGINES FROM THE AFT TANK. THE CAPACITANCE TYPE FUEL SYSTEM GAGES SHOWED ZERO IN THE AFT TANK AND 690 POUNDS IN THE FOWARD TANK. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER SHOWED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE PILOT HAD LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE SIKORSKY S58T.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-58BT accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1990 | Sikorsky S-58BT | Ovando, Montana, United States | Skyline Helicopters | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan 1988 | Colman BD-4 | Half Moon Bay, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1988 | Cessna 182A | Visalia, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 1988 | Cessna 150F | Hayfork, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1988 | Beechcraft A36 | Ramona, California, United States | Lancer Engineering | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 May 1988 | Cessna 180B | Quincy, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jul 1988 | Hiller UH-12D | Winterhaven, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |