# Accident 19980822021559A: Aerosp SA315B, Nucla, CO, August 22, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 22, 1998
- Place: Nucla, CO
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: EKKL
- Location: 38.2097° N, 108.5601° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2097&lon=-108.5601&mi=10
- Aircraft: N49525, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49525-2011-09-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aerospatiale SA315B (registry code 8680615, https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB (registry code 60003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSP SA315B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA367) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980822021559A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

HELICOPTER WAS EITHER LIFTING OR SETTLING DOWN A POWER UNIT WHEN THE ACFT LOST POWER AT 200 FEET AGL AND LANDED HARD ON THE SKIDS. (-23)THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION AND MADE A HARD LANDING.  GROUND OBSERVERS SAW FLAMES AT ENGINE TAILPIPE UP TWO TIMES LENGTH OF ENGINE.  ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED FAILURE IN TURBINE SECTION, SPECIFIC FAILURE IS UNKNOWN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW98LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA367), Aug 22, 1998: Aerospatiale SA315B (N49525), Naturita, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Partial loss of engine power resulting from heat induced deterioration of the gas generator turbine. Factors were a forced landing in hilly unsuitable terrain containing mature trees.

## Other reports on N49525 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20020328006069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020328006069A), Mar 28, 2002: Aerosp SA315B (N49525), Nanhunta, GA, No damage. (-23) Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 150 ft altitude, speed between 30 and 40 knots, power to the rotor system was lost. Power started to bleed off.…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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