Sikorsky S-58ET accident near Brookville, Indiana, July 10, 2002
On July 10, 2002 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-58ET (helicopter), registered N580US, was substantially damaged in an accident near Brookville, Indiana. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's intentional low altitude fight and his failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines. Factors to the accident were the power transmission lines followed by the inability to control the aircraft after the collision with power transmission lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2002 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Brookville, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58ET · all S-58ETs on the register
- Registration
- N580US · no longer on the register · serial 58-1673
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was flying over a lake at a low altitude when it struck power transmission lines, lost control and impacted the lake. The pilot stated that he checked his sectional and was aware of power transmission lines to the east but was not aware of any power transmission lines to the west. The pilot stated that he saw the power transmission lines and attempted to pull up to clear the power transmission lines. The pilot stated that the helicopter was running alright and everything appeared to be operating okay. The power transmission lines that were struck measured 124 feet above the water.
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: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 3,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,856.2 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 1, 2002; 8.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-6 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Shelbyville IN
- Destination: Lebanon OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from HAO, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.