# NTSB DEN85FA241: Aerospatiale SA315B, N3836E, Craig, CO, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Coordinates: 40.520595, -107.550254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5206&lon=-107.5503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - compressor assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS LONG-LINING A 1280-POUND AIR COMPRESSOR TO AN 8500-FOOT MSL MOUNTAIN DRILLING SITE. WITNESSES HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND AND BANG. THEY OBSERVED GRAY-WHITE SMOKE AND ORANGE-BLUE FLAME EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE PLT RELEASED THE LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A NEARBY CLEARING. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT ALL SIX SCREWS IN THE DIFFUSER LABYRINTH SEAL WERE LOOSE. ONE SCREW HAD BACKED OUT AHD HAD SCORED THE BACK OF THE CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR. THE SCREW HAD ROTATED 180 DEGREES AND WAS BENT OPPOSITE THE COMPRESSOR'S DIRECTION OF ROTATION. THE HOLE WAS ELONGATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3836E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3836E-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 2571, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (registry code 60003, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2571
- Airframe hours: 2751
- Engines: Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB 850 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Ron & Penny Livingston, doing business as Four Corners Helicopter
- Registered owner: Eagle Gills Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 3, 1985, 26 hours before
- Departed: CRAIG, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,183 total, 7,463 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAG, 18 nm away

## 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 19850914044849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914044849A), Sep 14, 1985: Aerosp SA315B, Craig, CO, Destroyed. Noise and flames from engine during external load operation. Found failed turbine section after tree ground impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.