# NTSB DEN84LA168: Aerospatiale SA316B, N4997A, Alcova, WY, June 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1984, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Alcova, WY
- Coordinates: 42.550804, -106.71994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5508&lon=-106.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT THE APPROACH AND LANDING WERE NORMAL UNTIL GROUND RESONANCE STARTED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO PICK BACK UP TO A HOVER TO REPOSITION, BUT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT YAWED AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT ON NOSE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE 'WOULD PREFER TO BE ABLE TO FLY THE ALOUETTE III MORE OFTEN FOR PROFICIENCY.' THE ALOUETTE III MAIN ROTOR BLADES ROTATE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURED HELICOPTERS. THE PLT HAS LOGGED 8784 HRS IN AMERICAN MADE HELICOPTERS AND 20 HRS IN THE AEROSPATIALE HELICOPTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4997A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4997A-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 1312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680515) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1312
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE III 690 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Evergreen Helicopters Inc, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Evergreen Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1984, 3,605 hours before
- Departed: CASPER, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,800 total, 20 in this make and model, 8,430 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °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 19840603024739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840603024739A), Jun 3, 1984: Aerosp SA316B, Alcova, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control, aircraft yawed and rolled left on its nose.

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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