# NTSB DEN85LA020: Aerospatiale SA316B, N8624, Lima, MT, October 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Lima, MT
- Coordinates: 44.610183, -112.270179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6102&lon=-112.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - proper descent rate - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

APRX 35 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE SEISMIC OPERATIONS BEING CONDUCTED ABOUT 10 MI NE WERE SECURED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND HIGH WINDS. THE PLT ESTIMATED WIND TO HAVE BEEN FROM 180 DEG AT 40 KTS GUSTING TO 60. AS THE PLT APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE DOWNWIND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE PLT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN INTO THE WIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT AT APRX 75 FT AGL HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. NEARING THE GROUND HE PULLED ALL AVAILABLE COLLECTIVE PITCH BUT COULD NOT CONTROL THE SINK RATE. ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE TAIL SPUN 20 TO 30 DEG TO THE LEFT AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ONTO IT'S RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8624](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8624-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 1714, built 1970 (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: 1714
- Airframe hours: 7725
- Engines: Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Nor West Helicopters, Inc., doing business as P.O. Box 1562
- Registered owner: Mountain Air Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 1984, 66 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 40 knots, gusting 60
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19841026058899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026058899A), Oct 26, 1984: Aerosp SA316B, Lima, MT, Substantial damage. Lost control of helicopter trying to land in severe gusty surface winds. Tail spun into a sand pile on touchdown.

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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