Garlick Helicopters Inc OH- 58C accident near Muddy Gap, Wyoming, May 30, 2006
On May 30, 2006, a Garlick Helicopters Inc OH- 58C, registered N16JD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Muddy Gap, Wyoming. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude and rough uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2006
- Place
- Muddy Gap, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Garlick Helicopters Inc OH- 58C
- Registration
- N16JD · registry record · serial 71-20435
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was approaching his ranch for landing. He stated that he lifted up on the collective to add power but no power was present. The horn and low rotor lights were immediately activated. The pilot stated that he lowered the collective and lowered the nose of the helicopter to gain some forward speed. The pilot stated that he elected to keep forward speed to the ground to maintain some control during the impact. The helicopter impacted sagebrush and sloping terrain. It slid for a distance and came to rest on its right side resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine and remaining systems revealed no anomalies.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,599.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2006; 96.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Split Rock Ranc WY at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from RWL, 41 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N16JD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.