# NTSB LAX81DUQ23: Sikorsky S-58, N8294, Tehachapi, CA, May 30, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 30, 1981
- Place: Tehachapi, CA · TEHACHAPI, CA
- Location: 35.1430° N, 118.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tehachapi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1430&lon=-118.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DUQ23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUQ23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1125  81/5/30    TEHACHAPI,CA        SIKORSKY S-58       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1515                    N8294               PX-  0  0  1  CONSTRUCTION              AGE 34, 4500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            300 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TEHACHAPI-KERN CO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HEMET,CA                    FREMONT,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAXI: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING TAIL WIND 203-247 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           80                                                      300
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           25                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- MAIN ROTOR STRUCK SIGNPOST IN FUELING AREA ON AIRPORT.WND GSTG 30KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8294](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8294-1988-05-04), registration cancelled 1988-05-04, S/N 581105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S58E](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s58e) (registry code 8141811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tehachapi-Kern Co

## 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 19810530035969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810530035969A), May 30, 1981: Skrsky S58E, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter rotor blade struck signpost as pilot parked for refueling after flight. Wind was factor.

## Other investigations on N8294 (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 IAD78FLJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FLJ03), Nov 28, 1977: Sikorsky S58E (N8294), Washington, NC, substantial damage

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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