# NTSB DEN83LA095: Aerospatiale SA 315B, N5770F, Craig, CO, March 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1983, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Coordinates: 40.519947, -107.550079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5199&lon=-107.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous equipment - not corrected, ground personnel (cause)
  - checklist - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED IN A LONG LINE DEMONSTRATION WHEN THE CABLE CONTACTED A MAN ON THE GROUND AND INJURED HIM.ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER THE ACFT WAS LANDED AT THE STAGING AREA, THE FIELD WAS BRIEFED ON HELICOPTER OPERATIONS FOR APRX 45 MIN. WHEN THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF SEVERAL DISTRATIONS CAUSED THE GROUND CREWMEN TO FORGET TO DISCONNECT THE LONG LINE. NO ONE NOTICED THE LINE DRAGGING ON THE GROUND UNTIL IT HIT THE MAN. THE GROUND CREW HAD TURNED AWAY FROM THE STAGING AREA TO WALK TO THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5770F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5770F-2020-11-21), registration cancelled 2020-11-21, S/N 2593, built 1980 (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 ASTAZOU series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-astazou-series) (registry code 60020, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2593
- Airframe hours: 2197
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Continental Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,120 total, 178 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N5770F (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 DFW07LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA162), Jul 14, 2007: Aerospatiale SA-315 (N5770F), Stuart, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to a clogged fuel tube. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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