# NTSB FTW98LA033: Aerospatiale SA316B, Counselor, NM, October 28, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1997, 10:12 local (17:12 UTC)
- Place: Counselor, NM
- Coordinates: 36.169025, -107.559776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1690&lon=-107.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA033

## Probable cause

the pilot inadvertently allowing the helicopter to settle with power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach
  - settling with power - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was being trained in the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation for deploying and retrieving seismic equipment. A long line was being used to sling the equipment to drilling sites. The pilot descended into a canyon towards the next drop site. He lowered collective slightly and established a 200 fpm (feet per minute) descent rate. He 'immediately got an uncomfortable feeling about the situation.'  He decided to abort the approach and try a longer, more shallow approach into the canyon. He pushed forward slightly on the cyclic and increased collective to initiate a climb. The helicopter shuddered and the rate of descent increased. The pilot realized the helicopter had encountered its on downwash and was 'settling with power.' He lowered collective and pushed forward on the cyclic. The helicopter struck the ground, bounced slightly to the left, and spun around. The wind was light and variable.

## Factual narrative

On October 28, 1997, approximately 1012 mountain standard time, an Aerospatiale SA316B, Canadian registry C-FPWH, operated by Turbowest Helicopters, Ltd., of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while approaching a hover 10 miles northwest of Counselor, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the nonscheduled domestic cargo air taxi flight being conducted under 14 CFR Part 133.   The flight originated at a staging area about a mile away just minutes before the accident.

According to the pilot's accident report, he was being trained in the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation for deploying and retrieving seismic equipment.  A long line was being used to sling the equipment to drilling sites.  The pilot descended into a canyon towards the next drop site.  He said he lowered collective slightly and established a 200 fpm (feet per minute) descent rate.  He "immediately got an uncomfortable feeling about the situation."  He decided to abort the approach and try a longer, more shallow approach into the canyon.  He pushed forward slightly on the cyclic and increased collective to initiate a climb.  The helicopter shuddered and the rate of descent increased.  The pilot said he realized the helicopter had encountered its on downwash and was "settling with power."  He lowered collective and pushed forward on the cyclic.  The helicopter struck the ground, bounced slightly to the left, and spun around.  The pilot said the wind was light and variable.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFPWH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerospatiale SA316B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2373
- Airframe hours: 2692
- Engines: Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB 590 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 133
- Registered owner: Turbowest Helicopters, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 23, 1997, 14 hours before
- Departed: NONE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,580 total, 112 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN, 45 nm away

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.