Sikorsky S-58D accident near Gatlingurg, Tennessee, August 6, 1983
On August 6, 1983 at about 8:10 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-58D (helicopter), registered N6488, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gatlingurg, Tennessee. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 1983 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Gatlingurg, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58D · all S-58Ds on the register
- Registration
- N6488 · no longer on the register · serial 581573
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON A WOODED MOUNTAINSIDE AFTER LIFTOFF. THE PLT SAID A POWER LOSS OCCURRED AFTER ITWAS TO LATE TO ABORT. TAKEOFF WAS MADE FROM A LOT THAT WAS 5200 FT MSL. THE PLT HOVER-CHECKED AT 2500 RPM AND 39.5 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE PRIOR TO TRANSITION TO FORWARD FLT. THE ACFT CLIMBED ONLY 20 FT BEFORE POWERLOSS OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO CHIP LIGHTS OR UNUSUAL ENGINE GAGE READINGS. THIS WAS THE PLTS 65TH TRIP FOR THE DAY. DURING THE IMPACT THE THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THE COMPRESSION WAS FOUND TO BE LOW ON 4 CYLINDERS, TWO OF WHICH WERE ZERO. TSO WAS 573 HOURS. THE CARBURETOR INLET SCREEN WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED WITH FIBER LINT. COMPRESSION WAS BEING LOST THROUGH THE EXHAUST VALVES. FUEL FILTER WERE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED WITH CONTAMINANTS FROM FUEL DRUMS AT A WORKSITE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,430 hours in all; 3,630 in this make and model; 141 in the last 90 days; 5,230 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,247 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 6, 1983; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1820-84 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 3A9 Sevierville TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.