# NTSB LAX80FVD09: Sikorsy S-58C, N81TA, Pt Bonita, CA, January 16, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 16, 1980
- Place: Pt Bonita, CA · PT BONITA, CA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVD09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVD09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1412  80/1/16    PT BONITA,CA        SIKORSY S-58C       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 3790
        TIME - 1328                    N81TA               PX-  0  0  0  CTR CARGO-D               TOTAL HOURS, 1000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PT BONITA,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH BARGE STANCHIONS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81TA-2011-05-25), registration cancelled 2011-05-25, S/N 58-432, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSY S-58C
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58c) (registry code 8141806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright CURTISS OX5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-curtiss-ox5) (registry code 67002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800116000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800116000949A), Jan 16, 1980: Skrsky S58C, Pt. Bonita, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported short engine power loss while hovering. Autorotated to deck of barge. No engine defects noted.

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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