# NTSB LAX01LA283: Aerospatiale AS 355F1, N53LH, Vinton, CA, August 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2001, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Vinton, CA - Coordinates: 39.709564, -120.210815 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7096&lon=-120.2108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA283 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which caused "brown-out" conditions during departure liftoff and resulted in loss of control of the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - sand/dust storm - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot of the med-vac helicopter reported that, during liftoff at the remote site, he encountered a loss of visual reference due to a "brown out" condition created by blowing dust at 3 feet agl. He then attempted to land the helicopter without any visual reference; however, the right skid contacted the ground first. A rolling motion to the left was created and, after the left skid contacted the ground, a dynamic rollover ensued. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2001, at 1425 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS 355F1 helicopter, N53LH, rolled onto its side and came to rest during takeoff at a remote location, 4 miles east of Vinton, California. The commercial certificated pilot, two flight nurses, and one patient were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The on-demand, air taxi, medical transport flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 135, by Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was destined for Reno, Nevada. According to the operator, the pilot reported that, during liftoff, he encountered a loss of visual reference due to a "brown out" condition at 3 feet above ground level. He attempted to land the helicopter without any visual reference; however, the right skid contacted the ground first. A rolling motion to the left was created and, after the left skid contacted the ground, a dynamic rollover ensued. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53LH-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 5093 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerospatiale AS 355F1 - Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355F1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355f1) (registry code 8680810) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 5093 - Airframe hours: 7374 - Engines: Allison 250-C20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, July 10, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: Vinton, CA - Destination: Reno, NV - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,750 total, 275 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 22 nm away ## 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 20010818022649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010818022649A), Aug 18, 2001: Aerosp AS355F1, Vinton, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 18, 2001, at 1432 hours pacific daylight time, an aerospatiale as 355F1 helicopter, N53LH, rolled onto its side and came to rest during takeoff… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53058. 453 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.