# NTSB LAX82DA039: Aerospatiale SA-316B, N608RA, Mammoth Lakes, CA, January 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1982, 07:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.580509, -118.839134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5805&lon=-118.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA039

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STARTED TO AIR TAXI THE HELICOPTER OUT OF A HANGAR. THERE WAS SNOW IN FRONT OF THE HANGAR THAT HAD BEEN ONLY PARTIALLY CLEARED AWAY. AS THE PILOT WAS EXITING THE HANGAR, HE RAISED THE AIRCRAFT TO GO OVER THE SNOW, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE HANGAR DOOR, AND A HARD LANDING FOLLOWED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N608RA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-316B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1166
- Engines: TURBOMECA A-III-B 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roberts Aircraft Company
- Registered owner: Roberts Aircraft Company
- Departed: MMH, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Destination: MMH, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIH, 28 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 19820106000329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820106000329A), Jan 6, 1982: Aerosp SA316B, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to air taxi out of hangar due to snowdrift at door. Tail rotor struck hangar door.

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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