# Accident 20121019025709A: Aerospatiale SA315B, Helena, OK, October 19, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 19, 2012, 10:00 local time
- Place: Helena, OK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: 04VL
- Location: 36.5464° N, 98.2706° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5464&lon=-98.2706&mi=10
- Aircraft: N57948, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57948) (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: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTEIIIB
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 18,890 total, 2,798 in this make and model, 203 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA027) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121019025709A

## Narrative

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

DESCRIPTION: WHILE CONDUCTING CFR 133 OPERATIONS THE PILOT STATED HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE WIND ON FLAT GROUND TO RESET A CONE THAT HAD BEEN BLOWN OVER BY THE STRONG WINDS OF THE DAY BEFORE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, FRICTIONED THE CYCLIC CONTROL, EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND WALKED 100' TO THE BAG. THE PILOT STATED HE HEARD THE ROTORS BEGIN TO BEAT ON THE TAIL BOOM AND RAN BACK AND PUSHED THE CYCLIC FORWARD FROM FULL AFT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD APPARENTLY NOT FRICTIONED THE CONTROL QUITE ENOUGH FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS , GUSTS TO 24KTS. THE BLADES CONTACTED THE TOP OF THE TAIL BOOM AREA STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THE SHAFT WAS SEVERED AND SEPARATED FROM AIRCRAFT AND FOUND ON THE GROUND NEAR THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 CEN13CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA027), Oct 19, 2012: Aerospatiale SA315B (N57948), Helena, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly secure the cyclic and to stop the main rotor system before exiting the helicopter, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor driveshaft.

## Other reports on N57948 (1)

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

- [Accident 20240527017939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240527017939A), May 27, 2024: Aerospatiale SA315B (N57948), Hilldale, UT, Substantial damage. On may 27, 2024, at approximately 0800 mtn, aircraft flew to a local ranch and landed in a field to provide a ride to 3 passengers. Shortly after departure,…

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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