# NTSB DEN82DTI15: Aerospatiale SA 315B, N5785V, White Sulphur S, MT, June 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1982, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: White Sulphur S, MT
- Location: 46.5453° N, 110.9039° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of White Sulphur Springs, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5453&lon=-110.9039&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DTI15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTI15

## 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
  - pickup equipment - not removed (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED BESIDE A SMALL BUILDING (CALLED A DOG HOUSE) WHICH CONTAINED SEISMIC INSTRUMENTS AND RECORDING EQUIPMENT. HE WAS SCHEDULED TO MOVE THE BUILDING AND HOOKED A LONG LINE FROM IT TO THE HELICOPTER. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 45 MINUTES FOR FINAL INSTRUCTIONS, HE RECEIVED A CALL TO LOOK FOR A POWDER BAG THAT WAS LOST. THE PILOT FORGOT THAT THE LONG LINE WAS ATTACHED TO THE SMALL BUILDING AND TOOK OFF. AFTER REACHING THE END OF THE LONG LINE, THE HELICOPTER WAS JERKED TO THE GROUND AND CRASHED. A MEMBER OF THE SEISMIC CREW WAS IN THE BUILDING AND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5785V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5785V-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N 2617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA 315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5875
- Airframe hours: 244
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSE IIIB 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Continental Heli Inc.
- Registered owner: Continental Heli Inc.
- Departed: WHITE SULPHUR S, MT
- Destination: WHITE SULPHUR S, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 23,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 66 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °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 19820616022519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820616022519A), Jun 16, 1982: Aerosp SA315B, White Sulphur S, MT, Substantial damage. Made takeoff, forgot sling line was attached to dog house. Stopped climbing at end of line. Crashed on dog house.

## Other investigations on N5785V (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 DEN85IA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85IA025), Nov 11, 1984: Aerospatiale SA315B (Lama) (N5785V), Oak City, UT, incident, minor 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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