# NTSB LAX82DA147: S.N.I.A.S. AS350, N5768Z, Gold Strike, NV, April 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1982, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Gold Strike, NV
- Coordinates: 35.990348, -114.810951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9903&lon=-114.8110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - idling rotors
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - performed, company/operator management (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - inadvertent, passenger

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF THE GRAND CANYON. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGERS WANTED TO GET OUT WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS UNDERGOING ITS TWO-MINUTE, COOL-DOWN PERIOD. THE PILOT ESCORTED FOUR OF THE PASSENGERS FROM THE HELICOPTER WHILE AN ATTENDANT WAS ASSISTING A FIFTH PASSENGER IN UNLOADING HER POSSESSIONS. A GUST OF WIND REMOVED THE FIFTH PASSENGER'S HAT, AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE MOVING TAIL ROTOR AS SHE CHASED THE HAT. THE PASSENGER DIED SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD 30 TO 40 FLIGHTS A DAY AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WERE NOT SHUT DOWN BETWEEN FLIGHTS, BUT THAT THE PASSENGERS WERE ESCORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5768Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5768Z-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 1304, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: S.N.I.A.S. AS350
- Registry model: [S N I A S AS350D ASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as350d-astar) (registry code 8680803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 600A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-600a-series) (registry code 41562, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1304
- Airframe hours: 696
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bauer Helicopter, Inc
- Registered owner: Bauer Helicopter, Inc
- Departed: GOLD STRIKE, NV
- Destination: GOLD STRIKE, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,450 total, 200 in this make and model, 8,450 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °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 19820424015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820424015039A), Apr 24, 1982: Snias AS350D, Gold Strike, NV, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Passengers hat blew off while being escorted from helicopter with idling rotors. Ran into tail rotor chasing hat.

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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