# Accident 20030306002349A: Snias SA341G, Alpine, TX, March 6, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 6, 2003, 11:15 local time
- Place: Alpine, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: GRTA
- Location: 30.3867° N, 103.6858° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3867&lon=-103.6858&mi=10
- Aircraft: N16KH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16KH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aerospatiale SA341G GAZELLE (registry code 8680610, https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa341g-gazelle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNIAS SA341G
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA105) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030306002349A

## Narrative

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

(-23) FLIGHT DEPARTED MARFA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, MARFA, TEXAS, AT 7:45 A.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING RANCH BOUNDARIES AND/OR REAL ESTATE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED AT A REMOTE LOCATION, A CLEARING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE CANYON WHERE TWO CREEKS CONVERGED. DURING TAKE OFF FROM THIS SITE, THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF AND TURNED DOWNWIND BECAUSE OF TERRAIN AND TRIED TO TRANSITION TO FORWARD FLIGHT. PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DIPPED UP AND DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES, APPEARED TO BE UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE CLEARING, STRUCK TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, LOST CONTROL AND CAME TO REST PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN THE CREEK. THE TAILBOOM WAS TORN FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.

## 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 FTW03LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA105), Mar 6, 2003: Aerospatiale SA341G (N16KH), Alpine, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain translational lift, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent of the helicopter during takeoff. A contributing factor was the gusty tailwind condition.

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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