# NTSB DEN83LA118: Aerospatiale SA 315B, N90706, Fillmore, UT, May 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1983, 13:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Fillmore, UT
- Coordinates: 38.959884, -112.389274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9599&lon=-112.3893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

WHILE ENGAGED IN SEISMIL WORK, THE PLT WAS CONTACTED BY RADIO & WAS ASKED TO ASSIST IN FREEING 2 CREW TRUCKS THAT HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN SAND DUNES. HE DECIDED TO ASSIST SINCE THE STUCK TRUCKS WERE DELAYING THE ENTIRE OPERATION. HE PLANNED TO PARTIALLY RAISE & PULL ONE END OF A TRUCK BY USING A 100 FT LONG LINE. THE HELICOPTER WAS FACING THE AFT END OF THE TRUCK & LONG LINE WAS AT ABOUT A 25-30 DEG ANGLE WHEN CONTINUOUS COLLECTIVE POWER WAS APPLIED. BY THE PLT. THE HELICOPTER THEN YAWED LEFT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO COMPENSATE WITH RIGHT ANTI-TORQUE PEDAL, REDUCED POWER & INDUCED RIGHT FORWARD CYCLIC. REPORTEDLY, THE HELICOPTER THEN TURNED 360 DEG & CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. AT SOME POINT AFTER THE LEFT YAW, THE PLT RELEASED THE LONG LINE. THE COMPANY SAFETY OFFICER REPORTED THAT IF A 150 FT LONG LINE HAD BEEN USED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LARGER MARGIN FOR ERROR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90706 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA 315B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2365
- Airframe hours: 4897
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 849 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Airwest Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 31, 1982, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,980 total, 380 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830524022059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830524022059A), May 24, 1983: Aerosp SA315B, Fillmore, UT, Substantial damage. Lost control while trying to free a stuck truck by a long line. Line on angle tipped helicopter when load applied.

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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