# NTSB LAX88FA254: Sikorsky S-58BT, N94AH, Marina Del Rey, CA, July 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1988, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Marina Del Rey, CA
- Coordinates: 33.980651, -118.460563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9807&lon=-118.4606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA254

## Probable cause

MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A DUEL ENGINE FLAMEOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE SIKORSKY S58T.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, hover
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS PERFORMING EXTERNAL LOAD WORK TO AND FROM THE ROOF OF A 15 STORY CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX IN A HEAVELY BUILT-UP AREA. THE PILOT SAID THAT JUST AFTER LIFTING A LOAD FROM THE ROOF HE EXPERIENCED A DUAL ENGINE FLAME OUT AND HE EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE AREA. A MARINA HARBOR CHANNEL. WITNESSES HEARD A DEFINITE SOUND CHANGE INVOLVING BOTH THE ROTOR AND THE ENGINE NOISE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS SET UP TO FEED BOTH ENGINES FROM THE AFT TANK. THE CAPACITANCE TYPE FUEL SYSTEM GAGES SHOWED ZERO IN THE AFT TANK AND 690 POUNDS IN THE FOWARD TANK. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER SHOWED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE PILOT HAD LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE SIKORSKY S58T.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94AH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94AH-1990-08-17), registration cancelled 1990-08-17, S/N 58692 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58BT
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58b) (registry code 8141804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 58-692
- Airframe hours: 7777
- Engines: P&W PT6-3 900 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Aris Helicopters, Ltd
- Registered owner: Aris Helicopters, Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 2, 1988, 25 hours before
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: LAX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,258 total, 36 in this make and model, 11,025 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 3 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 19880713026559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880713026559A), Jul 13, 1988: Skrsky S58BT, Marina Del Rey, CA, Substantial damage. Ran selected fuel tank,dry failed to use other. Autorotated to a canal. Load operation had no emergency area.

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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