# NTSB CEN13CA027: Aerospatiale SA315B, N57948, Helena, OK, October 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 19, 2012, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Helena, OK - Coordinates: 36.54639, -98.270553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5464&lon=-98.2706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA027 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Rotorcraft flight control: main rotor control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710/cases.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing external load operations and landed the helicopter to reset a cone that had blown over by the wind. After landing, the pilot reduced the engine power to idle and exited the helicopter. While walking away from the helicopter, the pilot heard a bang and noticed the main rotor blades had contacted the tail boom area. The pilot ran back to the helicopter and pushed the cyclic, which was in the full aft position, forward. The pilot estimated the wind to be 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots, and reported that he did not properly set the cyclic friction lock before departing the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter showed the tail rotor driveshaft had separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. According to the flight manual, the rotor brake should be applied to stop the main rotor system prior to exiting the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing external load operations and landed the helicopter to reset a cone that had blown over by the wind. After landing, the pilot reduced the engine power to idle and exited the helicopter. While walking away from the helicopter, the pilot heard a bang and noticed the main rotor blades had contacted the tail boom area. The pilot ran back to the helicopter and pushed the cyclic forward which was in the full aft position. The pilot estimated the winds to be 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots, and reported he did not properly set the cyclic friction lock prior to departing the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter showed the tail rotor driveshaft had separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. According to the flight manual, the rotor brake should be applied to stop the main rotor system prior to exiting the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57948](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57948), registered now, S/N 2628, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B - Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (registry code 60003, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2628 - Airframe hours: 14166 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTEIIIB 858 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Trans Aero Limited - Registered owner: Trans Aero Limited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 2012 - Departed: Helena, OK - Destination: Helena, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 18,890 total, 2,703 in this make and model, 17,890 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg ## 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 20121019025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121019025709A), Oct 19, 2012: Aerospatiale SA315B, Helena, OK, Substantial damage. 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… ## Other investigations on N57948 (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 WPR24LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA161), May 27, 2024: Aerospatiale SA315B (N57948), Hildale, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the EGT thermocouples, which resulted in catastrophic overtemperature of the engine and a total loss of engine power. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85418. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.