Sikorsky S-58T N6306
8 July 1989 · Susanville, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 8 July 1989 at about 18:30 local time, a Sikorsky S-58T registered N6306, operated by Aris Helicopters Ltd., was involved in an accident near Susanville, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. 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 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Susanville, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.7293, -119.8398
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58T
- Registration
- N6306
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Aris Helicopters Ltd.
- Operating rule
- Public Use
- Purpose of flight
- Public Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX89LA265
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO ENTER A DESCENT WHEN HE LOST YAW CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AN ABRUPT TOUCHDOWN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT YAW, IN AN AREA WITH SWIRLING WINDS, WHILE INBOUND FOR A FIRE SUPPRESSION WATER DROP. THE PILOT DUMPED THE WATER, RELEASED THE BUCKET COLLECTIVE PITCH AND ENTERED A DESCENT. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-58T accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr 1989 | Sikorsky S-58T | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Feb 1994 | Sikorsky S-58T | Walnut Creek, California, United States | Air One, Inc | Fatal | 3 |
| 18 Jul 1997 | Sikorsky S-58T | Page, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jul 1980 | Sikorsky S-58T | Morgan City, Louisiana, United States | Chevron USA In | Fatal | 5 |
| 1 Jul 1980 | Sikorsky S-58T | Bangor, Maine, United States | Carson Helicop | Fatal | - |
| 11 Oct 1971 | Sikorsky S-58T | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Anchorage Heli | Fatal | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Ontario, California, United States | Ameriflight | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-25-235 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1989 | Cessna 310K | Ojai, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 182 | Eureka, California, United States | Nothern Air | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lancaster, California, United States | West Coast Air Center | Fatal | 2 |
| 29 Sep 1989 | Bellanca 17-30A | Palo Alto, California, United States | Klouda, Linda K. | Minor injuries | - |