Sikorsky S-58T accident near Susanville, California, July 8, 1989
On July 8, 1989 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-58T (helicopter), registered N6306, was substantially damaged in an accident near Susanville, California. It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO ENTER A DESCENT WHEN HE LOST YAW CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AN ABRUPT TOUCHDOWN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 1989 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Susanville, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-58T · all S-58Ts on the register
- Registration
- N6306 · no longer on the register · serial 58-1491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT YAW, IN AN AREA WITH SWIRLING WINDS, WHILE INBOUND FOR A FIRE SUPPRESSION WATER DROP. THE PILOT DUMPED THE WATER, RELEASED THE BUCKET COLLECTIVE PITCH AND ENTERED A DESCENT. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 13,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6T-6 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aris Helicopters LTD.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
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.