# NTSB DEN84LA175: Aerospatiale SA-315B, N29907, Salina, UT, June 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1984, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Salina, UT
- Coordinates: 38.949131, -111.829246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9491&lon=-111.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA175

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A MAINTENANCE CHECK FLT AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR SHAFT ASSEMBLY THRUST BEARING HAD BEEN REPLACED AFTER THE ACFT HAD YAWING PROBLEMS AND POPPING SOUNDS AT HIGH PITCH SETTINGS WHILE LIFTINGS LOADS. THE PLT TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE TEST AND AS COLLECTIVE PITCH WAS INCREASED A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE ACFT LOST POWER. THE ACFT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTROLS, ACCODING TO THE PLT, WHEN HE TRIED TO KEEP THE ACFT LEVEL AND CONTROL THE RATE OF DESCENT. WHEN GROUND CONTACT WAS MADE THE ACFT BOUNCED AND ROLLED OVER. A TEARDOWN OF THE CLUTCHAND TRANSMISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29907](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29907-1988-07-15), registration cancelled 1988-07-15, S/N 205320 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2053-20
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE 3 B 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Highlife Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 13 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,132 total, 405 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19840610071349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840610071349A), Jun 10, 1984: Aerosp SA315B, Salina, UT, Substantial damage. Loud pop and left yaw preceded power failure on a maintenance test flight. Rolled on landing. Cause undertermined.

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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