# NTSB GAA20CA063: Sikorsky S 58JT, N827MW, Lebanon, IN, November 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 10, 2019, 13:16 local (18:16 UTC) - Place: Lebanon, IN - Coordinates: 40.036109, -86.482223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0361&lon=-86.4822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100548 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100548/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100548 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58JT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=8141807), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58JT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8141807), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58JT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8141807), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58JT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8141807), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he conducted a low-reconnaissance flight in the helicopter over the intended landing site, which was just east of a building. Shortly after, he realized that the landing site had changed to west of the building. He maneuvered the helicopter to a hover over the new landing site about 75 ft above ground level and started a vertical descent. During the descent, a company mechanic seated in the left seat told the pilot of an obstacle 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 a 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N827MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N827MW-2020-05-04), registration cancelled 2020-05-04, S/N 58827, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sikorsky S 58JT (ET) - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58JT](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58jt) (registry code 8141807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6t-3) (registry code 52102, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 58827 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 20047 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3 900 horsepower turbo shaft; Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3 900 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Midwest Helicopter Airways, Inc. - Registered owner: Midwest Truxton International Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 29, 2019 - Departed: UMP, Indianapolis, IN - Airport: 6I4, Boone County - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,500 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KTYQ, 11 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 20191110020969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191110020969A), Nov 10, 2019: Sikorsky S-58JT, Lebanon, IN, Substantial damage. On November 10, 2019, N827MW, a Sikorsky SK-58JT, departed indianapolis metropolitan airport, (kump) enroute to Lebanon, IN for part 133 heavy lift operations.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100548. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.