# NTSB ANC82FA059: Aerospatiale SA-318C, N4966, Skwentna, AK, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1982, 20:52 local (Jul 15, 1982, 04:52 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.929374, -151.73056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9294&lon=-151.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA059

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor system,main rotor blade abrasion strip - deteriorated (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - power on landing - performed, pilot in command
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A MODERATE VIBRATION. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS LEVELED OFF AND THE POWER REDUCED, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT AND DURING A CLIMB TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET THE VIBRATION BEGAN AGAIN WITH MORE INTENSITY. DURING LANDING THE RIGHT FRONT LANDING SKID TUBE BROKE CAUSING THE ROTOR BLADES TO FLEX AND CONTACT THE TAIL BOOM. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED ONE ROTOR BLADE HAD SHREDDED INFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4966-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 2227, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-318C
- Registry model: [S N I A S SA 318C ALOUETTE AST](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-sa-318c-alouette-ast) (registry code 8680511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ASTAZOU IIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-astazou-iia) (registry code 60006, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2227
- Airframe hours: 2573
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU IIA 542 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Ron Fisher
- Registered owner: Ron Fisher
- Departed: SKW, SKWENTNA, AK
- Destination: SKW, SKWENTNA, AK
- Airport: SKW, Skwentna, runway 27, 3,500 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,080 total, 79 in this make and model, 2,080 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N4966 (2)

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 SEA86FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA073), Mar 7, 1986: Aerospatiale SE 318C (N4966), Siletz, OR, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB ANC71AA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71AA062), Jun 28, 1971: Alouette II (N4966), Minchumina, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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.

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