# NTSB ANC88LA046: Aerospatiale SA315B, N65185, Near Central, AK, April 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 17:50 local (Apr 18, 1988, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Near Central, AK
- Coordinates: 65.469734, -145.190551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.4697&lon=-145.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - refueling - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - relinquishing of control - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - loose objects (contributing factor)
- Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED AT THE 'HOT' REFUELING SITE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER FOR A CREW CHANGE. THE HOT REFUELING LANDING PAD CONSISTED OF A BLACK MEMBRANE WITH BUNDLES OF LATHS PLACED PERPENDICULAR TO THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS TO PREVENT THE SKIDS FROM PUNCTURING THE MEMBRANE. THE PILOT LANDED ON THESE LATHS AND FRICTIONED THE CONTROLS DOWN AND LEFT THE ENGINE AND ROTOR BLADES OPERATING AT FULL RPM. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER IT SHIFTED REARWARD. HE JUMPED BACK IN THE SEAT ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, TURNED 180 DEGREES, AND CRASHED. THE REFUELER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65185](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65185-2023-12-12), registration cancelled 2023-12-12, S/N 2288, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTE II series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artouste-ii-series) (registry code 60002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2288
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,923 total, 1,699 in this make and model, 10,042 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880417009549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417009549A), Apr 17, 1988: Aerosp SA315B, Central, AK, Substantial damage. Refueling with engine rotor blades at full RPM.aircraft became airborne during crew change. Aircraft rolled over.

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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