# NTSB CHI84LA311: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N54PC, Plymouth, MN, July 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1984, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MN
- Location: 45.0105° N, 93.4555° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0105&lon=-93.4555&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA311

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - remedial action - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CO-PLT, WHO HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL ACFT, BEGAN A TRANSITION FROM HOVER TO CLIMB AND THE ACFT WENT INTO A RAPID ROTATION. BOTH PLTS WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE ROTATION AND WHEN THE PIC TRIED TO LAND, THE ACFT STRUCK RAISED RIDGESWITH THE LEFT SKID AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54PC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1545
- Airframe hours: 1545
- Engines: Turbomeca ASAZOU III 494 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Advanced Machine Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 1983, 20 hours before
- Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,227 total, 306 in this make and model, 15,470 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIL, 10 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 19840725034669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840725034669A), Jul 25, 1984: Snias SA341G, Spring Park, MN, Substantial damage. When pilot initiated climb helicopter went into rapid left rotation until striking ground. No mechanical problem.

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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