# NTSB DEN82DA159: Aerospatiale SA-315B, N10067, Afton, WY, August 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1982, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Afton, WY
- Coordinates: 42.72042, -110.919174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7204&lon=-110.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - compressor assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - compressor assembly,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - compressor assembly - fire
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

EN ROUTE DURING A SEISMIC OPERATION A LOUD SCREECHING, GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO BUCK. A LONG FLAME EMITTING FROM THE AFT END OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES. THE ENGINE CEASED AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE AFT AXIAL COMPRESSOR BEARING, AXIAL COMPRESSOR BLADES AND DIFFUSER BLADES. TWO SECTIONS OF THE NO.3 STATOR BLADE WERE EXAMINED AND REVEALED SURFACE MARKINGS INDICATIVE OF FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10067](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10067), registered now, S/N 2276, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-315B
- 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: 2276
- Airframe hours: 5418
- Engines: TURBO-MECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Blain Sales, Inc.
- Registered owner: Blain Sales, Inc.
- Departed: AFTON, WY
- Destination: AFTON, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,350 total, 600 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °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 19820809035279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820809035279A), Aug 9, 1982: Aerosp SA315B, Afton, WY, Destroyed. Engine failure on long line operation. Crashed into trees. Engine suffered compressor blade fatigue failure.

## Other investigations on N10067 (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 DEN80FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA038), Jun 11, 1980: Alouette SA315B (N10067), Jackson, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN79FTM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FTM06), Dec 21, 1978: Aerospatial SA315B (N10067), Magna, UT, 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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