# Accident 20080309837509A: Skrsky S58HT, Belmont, WV, March 9, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 9, 2008, 14:40 local time
- Place: Belmont, WV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: SHBL
- Location: 39.3681° N, 81.2939° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3681&lon=-81.2939&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1078T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1078T-2026-06-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sikorsky S-58HT (registry code 8141841, https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58ht) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 (registry code 52102, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6t-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKRSKY S58HT
- Reported engine: PWA PT6T3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 12,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC08LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA129) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080309837509A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE HELICOPTER WAS REMOVING EQUIPMENT FROM THE TOP OF AN OPERATING 620' SMOKE STACK.  DURING THE FIFTH OF SIX SCHEDULED PICKS AND AT APPROXIMATELY 500' AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION FROM THE TAIL OF THE HELICOPTER AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER LOST TAIL ROTOR AUTHORITY.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO JETTISON THE LOAD AND MAKE A FORCED LANDING UNDER POWER.  THE HELICOPTER LANDED IN A COAL PILE WHERE THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE PILED COAL AND SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE APART.  THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER IN-FLIGHT AND WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 600' FROM THE LOCATION WHERE THE HELICOPTER LANDED.  THREE OF THE FOUR TAIL ROTOR BLADES WERE FOUND INTACT BUT DAMAGED AFTER FALLING TO THE GROUND.  A PORTION OF THE FOURTH BLADE CONSISTED OF ONLY THE LEADING EDGE (SPAR) OF THE BLADE.  THE AFT PORTION OF THE BLADE WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND WAS OTHERWISE UNDAMAGED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC08LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA129), Mar 9, 2008: Sikorsky S-58HT (N1078T), Belmont, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of a tail rotor blade during an external load lift.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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