# NTSB CHI90FA118: Sikorsky S-58F, N871, Southfield, MI, April 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1990, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Southfield, MI
- Location: 42.4746° N, 83.2595° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Southfield, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4746&lon=-83.2595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA118

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION FOR UNKNOWN REASON(S).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING IN PLACE DURING A ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT REMOVAL OPERATION WHEN IT ABRUPTLY DESCENDED ONTO THE STRUCTURE FROM WHICH THE LIFT WAS BEING MADE. IT THEN NOSED OVER THE STRUCTURE & IMPACTED APRX 10 FT BELOW ON THE ROOF OF THE 15TH FLOOR. THE WORKERS HEARD NO VERBAL WARNING FROM THE PILOT. ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS OF A VIDEO REVEALED THAT DURING THE DESCENT THERE WAS A STEADY INCREASE IN ENGINE, M/R, AND T/R RPM. POST MORTEM EXAM OF THE PILOT REVEALED FOCAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS 50% LEFT AND RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY, LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING, AND LEFT CIRCUMFLEX. THE PILOT & CREW HAD OPERATED TOGETHER AS A TEAM FOR 18 YRS & THE CREW STATED THAT THE PILOT, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, HAD ALWAYS NOTIFIED THEM BY RADIO WHEN UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCES CAUSED PREMATURE RELEASES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N871](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N871-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N 58898 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58F
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58F](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58f) (registry code 8141837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 58-898
- Engines: CURTIS WRIGHT 989 C9HE1 1525 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Command Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900428012099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900428012099A), Apr 28, 1990: Skrsky S58F, Southfield, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter began descent while hovering with external load.

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.

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