# NTSB DEN82FTC03: Aerospatiale SA315B, N9007N, Big Piney, WY, April 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1982, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Big Piney, WY
- Location: 42.5402° N, 110.1193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Piney, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5402&lon=-110.1193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTC03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTC03

## 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, maneuvering
  - compressor assembly,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - compressor assembly,blade - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - adequate rotor rpm - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ENGAGED IN SEISMIC ACTIVITY SUPPLYING EXPLOSIVES BY LONG LINE. THE ENG FAILED AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL. THE LOAD WAS RELEASED & AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED. AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE ENG TEARDOWN INDICATED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 BLADE ON THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY. FATIGUE CRACK DEVELOPOMENTOCCURRED ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 OF THE PLATFORM AREA BEFORE FINAL SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE BLADE SEPARATION CAUSED SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING EXTREME AXIAL WHEEL DAMAGE, DESTRUCTIONOF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR DIFFUSER & BEARING FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9007N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9007N), registered now, S/N 2542, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib1) (registry code 60066, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2542
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE 111B 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: High Life Helicopters
- Registered owner: High Life Helicopters

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,850 total, 2,725 in this make and model, 7,475 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °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 19820420010509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820420010509A), Apr 20, 1982: Aerosp SA315B, Big Piney, WY, Destroyed. Engine compressor failure occurred. Dropped load. Rapid RPM decay caused severe impact with ground.

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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