Sikorsky S-58 accident near San Jose, CA

On January 28, 1994, a Sikorsky S-58 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near San Jose, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

January 28, 1994

Place

San Jose, CA

Aircraft

Sikorsky S-58 · Helicopter

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

37.339°N, 121.900°W

NTSB ID

20001206X00635

Official records · LAX94FA106

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Transcript of Radio Communication: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

History of the Flight On January 28, 1994, about 0737 hours Pacific standard time, a Sikorsky S58-JT, N4995G, crashed on a high-rise building during an external load operation at San Jose, California. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under Title 14 CFR Part 133 when the accident occurred. The helicopter, registered to and operated by Air One Helicopters Inc., San Jose, California, was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the San Jose International Airport about 0722 hours. The operator reported that the helicopter was being utilized to remove a large cooling tower fan from the top of a 13-floor building located in the business district of the city. The pilot contacted the ground controller at the San Jose Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at 0720:18 hours and requested permission to taxi for takeoff. At 0722:05 hours, the aircraft was cleared for departure by the local controller and at 0724:08 hours, the pilot reported as "on station". The building is located about 1 1/2 miles southeast of the airport. A three-man ground crew from the helicopter operator and an air conditioning company were assigned to the operation. A helicopter company employee, a member of the ground crew, reported that the helicopter was originally going to land in the west parking lot of the building to attach a 100-foot Kevlar lifting cable to the belly of the aircraft; however, the landing area was r

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.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.