Sikorsky S58J accident near Storm Lake, Iowa, November 28, 1984
On November 28, 1984 at about 9:35 pm local time, a Sikorsky S58J (helicopter), registered N62243, was involved in an accident near Storm Lake, Iowa. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- November 28, 1984 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Storm Lake, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S58J · all S58Js on the register
- Registration
- N62243 · no longer on the register · serial 58-756
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A PASSENGER WAS BEING TRANSPORTED FROM A BOAT TO SHORE. THE PLT LOWERED A WHEEL STRUT TO THE BOAT FOR THE BOARDING AND SAYS HE RECEIVED A RADIO CALL FROM THE PASSENGER SAYING, 'OK I'M READY LET'S GO.' THE PLT ASSUMED THAT HE WAS INSIDE THE ACFT AND A CLIMB WAS INITIATED. AT APRX 80 FT AGL THE PASSENGER, HANGING ON THE STRUT OUTSIDE THE CABIN, LOST HIS HOLD AND SLIPPED OFF INTO THE WATER.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,490 hours in all; 1,830 in this make and model; 170 in the last 90 days; 6,490 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,532 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 1984; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright 1820-84C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Storm Lake IA at 7:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 235° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
Other NTSB records under N62243 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.