# NTSB WPR12LA292: Sikorsky S-58B, N9043N, Brewster, WA, June 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2012, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Brewster, WA - Coordinates: 48.104721, -119.720558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1047&lon=-119.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84173/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84173 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA292 ## Probable cause An in-flight fire during hover for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of fire damage that subsequently consumed the structure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8141804), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-58B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=8141804), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the helicopter lifted into a hover, the manifold pressure gauge indicated a significant increase and the pilot smelled smoke. The pilot set the helicopter back onto the ramp and observed smoke rolling up the side of the fuselage. He egressed the helicopter rapidly and noticed fire around the engine compartment. The magnesium-constructed airframe was subsequently consumed by fire; the origin of the fire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2012, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky S-58B, N9043N, experienced an in-flight fire after the helicopter lifted into a hover at Anderson Field, Brewster, Washington. The helicopter was substantially damaged and consumed by fire. The helicopter was registered to, and operated by, Versatile Investments LTD under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local agricultural flight was departing from Brewster. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to maneuver low-level over a cherry orchard to help dry the crop. As the helicopter lifted into a hover, the manifold pressure gauge indicated a significant increase and the pilot smelled smoke. The pilot set the helicopter back onto the ramp and observed smoke rolling up the side of the fuselage. He egressed the helicopter rapidly and noticed fire around the engine compartment. The magnesium constructed airframe was consumed by fire. The extent of the damage of the wreckage precluded a post accident examination to determine the origin of the fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9043N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9043N-2014-10-28), registration cancelled 2014-10-28, S/N 143957, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-58B - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-58b) (registry code 8141804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright R-1820 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-series) (registry code 67020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 143957 - Airframe hours: 6385 - Engines: WRIGHT R-1820 SER 1475 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Both - Flight: Other work use, Part 137 - Operator: Versatile Investments Ltd - Registered owner: Versatile Investments Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2011, 12 hours before - Departed: S97, Brewster, WA - Destination: S97, Brewster, WA - Airport: S97, Anderson Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 490 total, 20 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: OMK, 23 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 20120624011489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120624011489A), Jun 24, 2012: Sikorsky S-58B, Brewster, WA, Destroyed. Pilot had just picked helicopter up to a hover when he noticed the tach reading zero, the engine starting to run rough, and the manifold pressure gauge reading… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84173. 1.2 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=40396055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.