# NTSB DEN83LA124: Aerospatiale SA-315B, N16297, Kemmerer, WY, May 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 18:30 local (May 31, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Kemmerer, WY
- Coordinates: 41.77996, -110.549087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7800&lon=-110.5491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA124

## 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 - engaged (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND A COMPANY VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS ON FILE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE TOOKOFF AND BROUGHT THE ACFT TO A HOVER, MADE A RIGHT PEDAL TURN AND ACCELERATED FOR A NORMAL TAKEOFF. THE ACFT SUDDENLY JERKED, WENT NOSE DOWN AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE GROUND OBSERVER INFORMED THE PILOT AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT THE EXTERNAL LINE WITH A LOAD WAS STILL ATTACHED. THE PILOT WAS CONFIDENT HE HAD RELEASED THE LONG LINE FROM THE ACFT BELLY HOOK AFTER LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16297 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-315B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2430
- Airframe hours: 6184
- Engines: Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 20, 1982, 87 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,298 total, 576 in this make and model, 4,298 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast

## 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 19830530021939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530021939A), May 30, 1983: Aerosp SA315B, Kemmerer, WY, Substantial damage. Took off with long line and load attached. Nose jerked down at end of the line. Crashed inverted.

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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