# NTSB DEN82DA195: Aerospatiale SA315B, N7915, Near Kemmerer, WY, September 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1982, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Near Kemmerer, WY
- Coordinates: 41.780448, -110.549041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7804&lon=-110.5490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA195

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, hover
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE HOVERING WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO YAW. THE PILOT DROPPED THE EXTERNAL LOAD, PULLED COLLECTIVE, CENTERED CYCLIC AND STARTED DESCENT. THE MAIN ROTORS HIT TREES AND THE AIRCRAFT FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS DID NOT REVEAL ANY REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7915](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7915-1986-05-23), registration cancelled 1986-05-23, S/N 2296 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Sud SA315B LAMA](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa315b-lama) (registry code 8680208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2296
- Airframe hours: 7575
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters, In
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters, In
- Departed: LAKE VIVA NAUGH, WY
- Destination: DRILLING SITE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,470 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 129 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 98 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 19820915046639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820915046639A), Sep 15, 1982: Aerosp SA315B, Kemmerer, WY, Destroyed. Engine quit during sling load hover. Helicopter fell into trees. Problem unknown. Possible fuel starvation problem.

## Other investigations on N7915 (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 DEN80FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA053), Aug 2, 1980: Aerospatle 315B (N7915), Dell, MT, 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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