- Date
- January 16, 1986, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place
- North Adams, MI
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- N885Sikorsky S-58F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19860116000769A
- Case key
- 13409
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While accomplishing preflight systems checks with the engine running and the rotor system engaged the aircraft experienced a hydraulic hardover. Uncommanded displacement of the flight controls caused the aircraft to pitch up and left simultaneously. The pilot was unable to regain control before the main rotor blades struck the ground and the aircraft came to rest on its left side. Testing of the hydraulic system could not duplicate the problem. Teardown inspection revealed foreign material in the hydraulic cylinders.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N885
- Reported as
- Sikorsky S-58F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 58396
- Airframe hours
- 7,614
- Engine
- Wright R-1820-84, 1,475 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 133
- Registered owner
- B & G Helicopter Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 9, 1985 · 43 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 44
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, Unknown
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 8,052 total · 380 in this make and model · 5,862 as pilot in command · 90 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 39 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.