Sikorsky S 58JT accident near Lebanon, Indiana, November 10, 2019
On November 10, 2019 at about 6:16 pm local time, a 1958 Sikorsky S 58JT (helicopter), registered N827MW, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Lebanon, Indiana (Boone County airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a tractor trailer during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 2019 · about 6:16 pm local time
- Place
- Lebanon, Indiana · Boone County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S 58JT ET, built 1958 · all S 58JTs on the register
- Registration
- N827MW · no longer on the register · serial 58827
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he conducted a low-reconnaissance flight in the helicopter over the intended landing site, which was just east of a building. Shortly after, he realized that the landing site had changed to west of the building. He maneuvered the helicopter to a hover over the new landing site about 75 ft above ground level and started a vertical descent. During the descent, a company mechanic seated in the left seat told the pilot of an obstacle left of the helicopter. He acknowledged seeing the obstacle and continued to descend. Shortly after touchdown, as the pilot reduced the throttle setting to idle, the main rotor blades struck a tractor trailer, the helicopter yawed, and the tail rotor blades struck the trailer. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor systems. The director of operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Effect on equipment
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 1,450 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 4,500 as pilot in command; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 23, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20,047 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, October 29, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 12,500 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3 (turboshaft); 8,641 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3 (turboshaft); 14,811 hours total
- Operator: Midwest Helicopter Airways, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: UMP Indianapolis IN at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KTYQ, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 30, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photo | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.