Sikorsky S-58T accident near Walnut Creek, CA
On February 21, 1994, a Sikorsky S-58T (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Walnut Creek, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 21, 1994
- Place
- Walnut Creek, CA
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58T · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.910°N, 122.009°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00756
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 21, 1994, at 1015 hours Pacific standard time, a Sikorsky S-58T, N581BG, lost control and collided with the ground near Walnut Creek, California. The helicopter was being operated by Air One, Inc., San Jose, California, under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter was destroyed. The airline transport pilot and two other crew members were fatally injured. The helicopter departed a job site in Concord, California, about 1010 hours after completing an external load operation on the previous flight. The helicopter was positioning back to San Jose at the time of the accident. One witness watched the helicopter fly past his position in the back yard of his residence. The witness described the helicopter as "low for this area and slow (60 to 80 mph)." The witness described the sound as "quiet but not soundless" and the flight path as descending. The witness continued to watch the helicopter descend thinking it might land. The witness stated, "The aircraft appeared to mush. Then it did a (like a snap) roll to the inverted position with a fast descent." The witness estimated the altitude to be about 200 feet above ground level when the helicopter appeared to mush. Two witnesses reported hearing a "sputtering" noise, then observing an abrupt rolling maneuver. The helicopter disappeared behind hilly terrain in a nose-down attitude. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The helicopter was found aligned on a magnetic heading of 343 degrees on the western slope of Shell Ridge. The terrain was open grassland and sloped 10 to 15 degrees. The elevation of the accident site w
Probable cause
Inadequate fuel quality control procedures by the helicopter operator resulting in fuel contamination and a loss of engine power. The pilot's decision to extend the autorotative glide to avoid striking residential homes, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent in-flight loss of control, is also causal in this accident. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable nature of the residen
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Browse: California · Sikorsky aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
