# NTSB DEN88FA091: Aerospatiale SA316B, N72590, Silver Plume, CO, April 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Silver Plume, CO
- Location: 39.6954° N, 105.7270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Silver Plume, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6954&lon=-105.7270&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotorcraft flight control,mixing unit - separation (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,mixing unit - fatigue (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - collapsed

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72590](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72590-1995-05-19), registration cancelled 1995-05-19, S/N 1509 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Registry model: [Sud SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1509
- Airframe hours: 8164
- Engines: ARTOUSTE 3B 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 22, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: BRECKENRIDGE, CO
- Destination: DENVER, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,850 total, 42 in this make and model, 4,690 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19880402007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880402007769A), Apr 2, 1988: Aerosp SA316B, Silver Plume, CO, Substantial damage. Helicopter went into rapid descent and autorotation with collective inop. Hard impact. Support block assembly broke

## Other investigations on N72590 (2)

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 NYC83FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA244), Sep 17, 1983: Sud SA316B (N72590), Pittsburgh, PA, destroyed
- [NTSB NYC83LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA028), Nov 13, 1982: Aerospatiale SA316B (N72590), West Mifflin, PA, substantial damage

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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