Sikorsky S-58J accident near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, July 5, 1988
On July 5, 1988 at about 1:40 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-58J (helicopter), registered N62243, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. 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
- July 5, 1988 · about 1:40 pm local time
- Place
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58J · all S-58Js on the register
- Registration
- N62243 · no longer on the register · serial 58-756
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
N62243 WAS BEING USED TO LIFT AIR CONDITIONING UNITS TO THE TOP OF A SHOPPING MALL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ON THE 16TH LIFT OF THE DAY AND HAD JUST TAKEN OFF WHEN HE HEARD TWO LOUD POPS AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER JETTISONING THE LOAD HE EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRCRAFT MADE A VERY HARD LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE AND STARTER SHAFT HAD SHEARED ON THE FORWARD END, IN THE SPLINED AREA.
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; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 12,208 hours in all; 2,250 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 10,307 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,708 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 28, 1988; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,700 lb
- Seats: 18
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1820-84C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 am
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 N62243 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.