Sikorsky S-61N accident near Sédjè, Outside the U.S., January 10, 2025
On January 10, 2025 at about 2:40 pm local time, a 1972 Sikorsky S-61N (helicopter), registered N703HG, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Sédjè, Outside the U.S.. It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person had minor injuries.
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 10, 2025 · about 2:40 pm local time · cases in 2025
- Place
- Sédjè, Benin
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-61N, built 1972 · all S-61Ns on the register
- Registration
- N703HG · registry record · serial 61703
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Dynamic rollover during landing defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 28
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Ge CT58 SERIES (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CT58 SERIES (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Construction Helicopters INC
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N703HG on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Sikorsky S-61 54 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Sikorsky 825 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Ge CT58 SERIES 13 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Ge CT58 SERIES 13 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Outside the U.S. 1,249 since 1982 · 1,232 in the last ten years
- Outside the U.S. 0 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/GAA25WA145.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.