Sikorsky S-58 N4995G
28 January 1994 · San Jose, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 28 January 1994 at about 15:37 local time, a Sikorsky S-58 registered N4995G, operated by Air One Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near San Jose, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:37
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- San Jose, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- San Jose International (SJC)
- Coordinates
- 37.3390, -121.8996
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58
- Registration
- N4995G
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Air One Helicopters Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX94FA106
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PROXIMITY OF HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AFTER FINISHING A LIFT, THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING AT ABOUT 100 FEET OVER A 13-STORY BUILDING. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINES SPOOL DOWN AND SAW THE ROTOR BLADES SLOWING. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED ONTO A TWO-LEVEL PENTHOUSE ON THE BUILDING ROOF AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. A PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO THE BUILDING HAD BEEN SELECTED BY THE COMPANY AS A LANDING AREA IN AN FAA-APPROVED LIFT PLAN, BUT OBSTRUCTIONS PREVENTED ITS USE. THE HELICOPTER, COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF MAGNESIUM, WAS CONSUMED BY A POSTCRASH FIRE. FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABOUT 11 POUNDS PER MINUTE. THE PILOT BEGAN THE FLIGHT WITH ABOUT 266 POUNDS OF FUEL; DURING THE 17 MINUTE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE CONSUMED ABOUT 190 POUNDS OF FUEL. UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THE HELICOPTER WAS 64 POUNDS. OPERATIONS AT MINIMAL FUEL REQUIRED FUEL TANK CROSSFEEDING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-58 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2000 | Sikorsky S-58 | Buhl, Idaho, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 1983 | Sikorsky S-58 | Biggs, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 5 Aug 1983 | Sikorsky S-58 | Westwego, Louisiana, United States | Imperial Intl. Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 30 May 1981 | Sikorsky S-58 | Tehachapi, California, United States | Crane Helicopt | No injuries | - |
| 2 Mar 1980 | Sikorsky S-58 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1979 | Sikorsky S-58 | La Place, Louisiana, United States | James Robinson | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Fort Bragg, California, United States | Sundance Flying Club | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1994 | Schweizer G-164B | Yuba City, California, United States | Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Sep 1994 | Cessna T210L | Kettleman City, California, United States | Willie Alves Rodrigues | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 1994 | Maule M-5-235C | Columbia, California, United States | White, James L. | No injuries | - |
| 19 May 1994 | Cessna 150L | Rio Linda, California, United States | Hinckley, Thomas, F. | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |