# NTSB CHI83LA152: Aerospatiale 316B, N62268, Wauseon, OH, March 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1983, 19:48 local (Mar 27, 1983, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: Wauseon, OH
- Location: 41.5534° N, 84.1401° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wauseon, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5534&lon=-84.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS INVOLVED IN A HARD LANDING WHILE ENGAGED IN A PATIENT PICKUP FLIGHT FOR ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL. THE PILOT, DOCTOR AND NURSE ABOARD WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND AT DEPARTURE 25 MILES AWAY WAS 10 KNOTS. HOWEVER HE ESTIMATED THE WIND VELOCITY AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AT 25 TO 30 KNOTS. THE HELIPAD WAS LOCATED ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE HEALTH CENTER FOR FULTON COUNTY. AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED FOR LANDING THROUGH 75 FEET AGL THE PILOT SAID THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED FROM 500 FPM TO 3500 FPM. HE ADDED POWER AND FLARED AT 10 FEET AGL BUT STILL TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON SLOPING TERRAIN RIGHT GEAR FIRST. SUBTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUT AND CENTER FRAME OF THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62268](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62268-1997-10-27), registration cancelled 1997-10-27, S/N 2046 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE 316B
- Registry model: [Sud SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2046
- Airframe hours: 4908
- Engines: ARTOUSTE 111 B 838 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: St.Vincent Hospital, doing business as Lifeflight, Inc. [Ems]
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountian Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TOLEDO, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,128 total, 952 in this make and model, 67 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 25 nm away

## 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 19830327009909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830327009909A), Mar 27, 1983: Aerosp SA316B, Wauseon, OH, Substantial damage. Caught in downdraft while landing in lee of a building. Helicopter impact damaged.

## Other investigations on N62268 (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 DEN90FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA028), Nov 28, 1989: Aerospatiale SA316B (N62268), Park City, UT, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE A VERTICAL TAKEOFF, WHILE DEPARTING WITH A CABLE ATTACHED, AND HIS FAILURE TO INSURE THE CABLE REMAINED CLEAR OF THE TRAILER. THE TRAILER (VEHICLE) WAS A CONTRIBUTING…
- [NTSB OAK79DVM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVM06), Dec 4, 1978: Alouette 316B (N62268), King City, CA, substantial damage

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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