# NTSB MIA88LA095: Sikorsky S-58E, N2769P, Sanford, FL, January 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1988, 10:29 local (15:29 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, FL
- Coordinates: 28.809671, -81.330528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8097&lon=-81.3305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GIVE HIMSELF A CHECKOUT IN THE HELICOPTER FOR HE BELIEVED THE FEE FOR A CHECK PLT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT AT HOVER FLT HE POSITIONED HIMSELF WITH A 90 DEGREE, 12 KNOT RIGHT CROSSWIND. AS THE ACFT BECAME LIGHT ON THE WHEELS IT BEGAN ROLLING UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT. HIS GROUND CREW STATED THAT AT THIS POINT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES MADE GROUND CONTACT. FULL CYCLIC CONTROL WAS NEEDED TO RIGHT THE ACFT AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE HOWEVER THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. A HARD LANDING WAS MADE TO GET THE ACFT ON THE GROUND UNDER CONTROL AT WHICH TIME THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AGAIN TOUCHED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2769P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2769P-1994-07-13), registration cancelled 1994-07-13, S/N 58077D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58E
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58E](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58e) (registry code 8141809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 58-077D
- Airframe hours: 2856
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: William L. Mitchell
- Registered owner: Richard J. Salter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1988, 1 hours before
- Airport: SFB, Sanford

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,115 total, 1 in this make and model, 5,818 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFB

## 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 19880130001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880130001599A), Jan 30, 1988: Skrsky S58E, Sanford, FL, Substantial damage. Attempted liftoff to a hover in a crosswind. One wheel lifted off causing instability and dynamic roll over.

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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