Sikorsky SK-58 accident near Daggett, California, July 22, 1991
On July 22, 1991 at about 4:40 am local time, a Sikorsky SK-58 (helicopter), registered N58WH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Daggett, California. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF AN ENGINE CONNECTING ROD CAUSING A REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER TO THE POINT WHERE LEVEL FLIGHT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SELECT THE BEST LANDING SITE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1991 · about 4:40 am local time
- Place
- Daggett, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky SK-58
- Registration
- N58WH · no longer on the register · serial 11
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE RETURNING FROM AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION, THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING AND THEN STARTED BACK FIRING. THE PILOT REPORTED HEARING A LOUD 'BANG' AND THEN NOTED A DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER. HE PERFORMED NECESSARY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. HE SAID THAT HE TOUCHED DOWN WITH SOME FORWARD SPEED. THE HELICOPTER HIT A DIRT BERM. THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN WAS PERFORMED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. A BROKEN ROD WAS FOUND DURING THE TEARDOWN. THE TEARDOWN WAS TERMINATED AT THAT POINT AND THE REASON FOR THE BROKEN ROD WAS NOT DETERMINED.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 1,778 in this make and model; 49 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 12,000 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1820 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Associated Helicopter Services
The flight
- Departed from: DAG Barstow CA at 2:30 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.