Sikorsky S-58JT N598S

Summary

On 22 December 2003 at about 23:06 local time, a Sikorsky S-58JT registered N598S was involved in an accident near Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 December 2003 at 23:06

Classification

Accident

Location

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Willow Run (YIP)

Coordinates

42.2378, -83.5303

Aircraft

Sikorsky S-58JT

Registration

N598S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Windsor Ont → Ypsilanti

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CHI04LA047

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot became disoriented and attempted to land the helicopter at the wrong ramp resulting in his failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the approach. The light poles were a factor to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was destroyed when it impacted light poles and the ground during landing. The pilot stated that he was on a southwest heading to the airport and was cleared to land at the U.S. Customs ramp. The pilot reported that approximately 40 knots airspeed and 70 feet above ground level (agl), "there was an abrupt boom and pitch of the aircraft followed by a right forward rapid decent with a very large horizontal one-to-one out of balance oscillation." The pilot stated that he, "attempted to apply all available collective pitch, which was followed by contact with the ground, followed by rolling and flipping of the aircraft." The pilot reported that after he and the passenger exited the helicopter through a window, they noticed inoperative light poles which stood 70 to 80 feet in height. The light pole that was struck was 45 feet tall and was located at the southwest cargo ramp area near the south end of taxiway D. The light pole is located 4,542 feet south-southwest of the U.S. Customs circle. The light pole is located to the south of runway 09R/27L. The U.S. Customs ramp is located on the west ramp between runways 09R/27L and 09L/27R.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.