Sikorsky S 58JT
Lebanon, IN — November 10, 2019
Event Information
| Date | November 10, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA063 |
| Event ID | 20191111X91036 |
| Location | Lebanon, IN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.03611, -86.48222 |
| Airport | Boone County |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Sikorsky |
| Model | S 58JT |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 3 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 3 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing.
Full Narrative
The helicopter pilot reported that he did a low-reconnaissance flight over the intended landing site, just to the east of a building. Shortly after, he realized that the landing site was changed to the west side of the building. He maneuvered the helicopter to a hover over a new landing site west of the building, about 75 feet above the ground, and started a vertical decent. During the decent, a company mechanic seated in left seat of the cockpit told the pilot of an obstacle to the left of the helicopter. He acknowledged seeing the obstacle and continued to descend. Shortly after touchdown, as the pilot reduced the throttle setting to idle, the main rotor blades struck an empty tractor trailer, the helicopter yawed, and the tail rotor blades struck the trailer.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor systems.
The director of operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.