# NTSB DEN84FA017: Aerospatiale SE 3180, N544, Salt Lake City, UT, October 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1983, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Location: 40.7608° N, 111.8910° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salt Lake City, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7608&lon=-111.8910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED DURING A LANDING ON THE CREST OF A MOUNTAIN. THE FRENCH HELICOPTER UNLIKE AMERICAN HELICOPTERS HAS A MAIN ROTOR THAT ROTATES CLOCKWISE. TO COMPENSATE FOR INCREASED TORQUE THE PLT MUST USE RIGHT PEDAL INSTEAD OF LEFTPEDAL. THE PLT IN THIS ACCIDENT HAD MANY HOURS IN AMERICAN HELICOPTERS AND LESS THAN 100 HOURS IN THE FRENCH TYPE. ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT AGREED ON THE RAPID COUNTER-CLOCKWISE SPINNING OF THE ACFT PRIOR TO GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N544](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N544-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 1328, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SE 3180
- Registry model: [S N I A S SE 3130 ALOUETTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-se-3130-alouette-ii) (registry code 8680502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTE II series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artouste-ii-series) (registry code 60002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1328
- Airframe hours: 5230
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU II 485 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skynight Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 12, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: GRANTSVILLE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 75 in this make and model, 153 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831028055999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831028055999A), Oct 28, 1983: Snias SE3130, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed. Helicopter entered an uncontrolled spin during approach to landing. Pilot was accustomed to U.S. Helicopter inputs.

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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