Sikorsky S-58 accident near Westwego, Louisiana, August 5, 1983
On August 5, 1983 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-58 (helicopter), registered N2518M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Westwego, Louisiana. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person was seriously injured and 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
- August 5, 1983 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Westwego, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58 · all S-58s on the register
- Registration
- N2518M · no longer on the register · serial 58-336
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO STRING POWER LINES BY CARRYING A 500 LB WT, TO WHICH, THE RESPECTIVE WIRE WAS ATTACHED. WHILE HOVERING AT ABOUT 120 FT AGL & IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A POWER LINE TOWER, THE ENG LOSS POWER ABRUPTLY. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE & THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG & FUEL SYS REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.
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: 3,600 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 126 in the last 90 days; 3,460 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,423 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 25, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 13,000 lb
- Seats: 14
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1820 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Imperial Intl. INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 pm from NEW, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.
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.