# NTSB DEN86LA082: Aerospatiale SA315B, N27387, Meeker, CO, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Meeker, CO
- Coordinates: 40.049743, -107.890365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0497&lon=-107.8904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, hover
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE LIFT OFF THE RIGHT SKID TOE OF THE HELICOPTER CAUGHT A SEISMIC CABLE WHICH WAS COVERED BY APRX 2 FT OF SNOW. THE PLT STATED HE BROUGHT THE ACFT TO A HOVER AFTER OFF LOADING 2 PAX & STARTED A RIGHT SIDEWARD HOVER. WHEN THE SLACK WAS OUT OF THE SEISMIC CABLE, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED RIGHT, PAST THE CRITICAL ROLL ANGLE & ENCOUNTERED DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27387](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27387-1998-04-14), registration cancelled 1998-04-14, S/N 2625 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2625
- Airframe hours: 2373
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Colorado Airlift, Inc.
- Registered owner: Darrell J. Diderickses
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1985, 42 hours before
- Departed: CAG, CRAIG, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,114 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,828 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19860220004799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220004799A), Feb 20, 1986: Aerosp SA315B, Meeker, CO, Substantial damage. During liftoff to a hover, the right skid caught a cable that was buried in the snow, causing a dynamic rollover.

## Other investigations on N27387 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL96LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA020), Dec 11, 1995: Aerospatiale SA 315 (N27387), Manning, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s).

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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