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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 31, 1987 · Sikorsky S-58B · N5594C

Los Angeles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-58B
Tail Number
N5594C
Operator
Aris Helicopter
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA105

A SIKORSKY S-58B COLLIDED WITH A MARKED 253 FT AGL ANTENNA TOWER (TWR) WHILE MANEUVERING OVER EXTERNAL LOAD LIFT SITE. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT SEAT OF THE ACFT IN A RIGHT DESCENDING ORBIT CONDUCTING A SITE RECON AND THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE TWRS PRESENCE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MISJUDGED HIS POSITION RE THE TWR. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE STARTED A DESCENT WHILE DISCUSSING THE LIFT PLAN WITH HIS CREWCHIEF. BOTH CREWMEMBERS WHO WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACFT WERE LOOKING TO THE RIGHT AT THE LIFT SITE WHEN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE ANTENNA TWR. THE ANTENNA TWR WAS A PROPERLY MARKED OBSTRUCTION AND MET THE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 70/7460-1. THE COLLISION DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR.

Full Narrative

A SIKORSKY S-58B COLLIDED WITH A MARKED 253 FT AGL ANTENNA TOWER (TWR) WHILE MANEUVERING OVER EXTERNAL LOAD LIFT SITE. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT SEAT OF THE ACFT IN A RIGHT DESCENDING ORBIT CONDUCTING A SITE RECON AND THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE TWRS PRESENCE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MISJUDGED HIS POSITION RE THE TWR. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE STARTED A DESCENT WHILE DISCUSSING THE LIFT PLAN WITH HIS CREWCHIEF. BOTH CREWMEMBERS WHO WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACFT WERE LOOKING TO THE RIGHT AT THE LIFT SITE WHEN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE ANTENNA TWR. THE ANTENNA TWR WAS A PROPERLY MARKED OBSTRUCTION AND MET THE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 70/7460-1. THE COLLISION DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:39 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-58B
Tail NumberN5594C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAris Helicopter
Operating RulePart 133
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6T3 · Turboshaft · 900
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data