# NTSB DEN90FA028: Aerospatiale SA316B, N62268, Park City, UT, November 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1989, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Park City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.640735, -111.489242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6407&lon=-111.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA028

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE A VERTICAL TAKEOFF, WHILE DEPARTING WITH A CABLE ATTACHED, AND HIS FAILURE TO INSURE THE CABLE REMAINED CLEAR OF THE TRAILER.  THE TRAILER (VEHICLE) WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - vertical takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - external load sling/harness - entangled
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - foreign object damage
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO MOVE EQUIPMENT FROM THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. A 100 FT CABLE WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER WHEN WORKERS NEEDED TO BE TRANSPORTED UP THE HILL. WITNESSES REPORTED THE PILOT INITIATED A NORMAL TAKEOFF, INSTEAD OF A VERTICAL TAKEOFF, WHICH HE HAD BEEN USING WITH THE CABLE ATTACHED. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE HOOK ON THE END OF THE CABLE SNAGGED ON AN EQUIPMENT TRAILER. THE HOOK BROKE FREE OF THE TRAILER AND THE CABLE REBOUNDED INTO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE HELICOPTER THEN BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62268](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62268-1997-10-27), registration cancelled 1997-10-27, S/N 2046 (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: 2046
- Airframe hours: 8692
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 543 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 7, 1989, 29 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,000 total, 1,625 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19891128047319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891128047319A), Nov 28, 1989: Aerosp SA316B, Park City, UT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Took off with cargo line attached. Line struck trails, rebounded and fouled rotor blades. Crashed in field.

## Other investigations on N62268 (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 CHI83LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA152), Mar 27, 1983: Aerospatiale 316B (N62268), Wauseon, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK79DVM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVM06), Dec 4, 1978: Alouette 316B (N62268), King City, CA, 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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