# NTSB DEN90FA115: Aerospatiale SA315B, N402AH, La Sal, UT, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: La Sal, UT
- Coordinates: 38.230712, -109.170143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2307&lon=-109.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA115

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPEED GOVERNOR UNIT DUE TO IMPROPER STORAGE AND/OR INSPECTION OF THE SPEED GOVERNOR UNIT PRIOR TO PLACING IT IN SERVICE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT CARRYING PASSENGERS ON THE EXTERNAL LOAD.

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING LONG LINE OPERATIONS CARRYING A LOAD OF EQUIPMENT PLUS TWO PASSENGERS ON THE LOAD. THE ENGINE DECELERATED TO IDLE NECESSITATING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO SETTLE UNTIL THE LOAD HIT THE GROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR HIS PASSENGERS. WHEN THE LOAD HIT THE GROUND HE JETTISONED AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO COMPLETE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. LOW ROTOR RPM PREVENTED A SUCCESSFUL LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED INTERNAL CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL GOVERNOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, hover
  - fuel system,fuel control - contamination (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, hover
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N402AH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402AH-2014-10-30), registration cancelled 2014-10-30, S/N 2484 (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: 2484
- Airframe hours: 6647
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSE 316B 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Geo - Seis Helicopters, Inc
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1990, 8 hours before
- Departed: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,670 in this make and model, 9,700 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900523017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523017119A), May 23, 1990: Aerosp SA315B, La Sal, UT, Substantial damage. Engine went to flight idle with sling load. Autorotated. Ground crew on load. No 133 license. Speed governor defect

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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