# NTSB LAX82DA295: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N118EF, Long Beach, CA, August 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1982, 15:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.820491, -118.110366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8205&lon=-118.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA295

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, dual student

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED FOR DUAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION OF SEVERAL STUDENTS. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP) STATED THAT HE HELD THE CONTROLS WHILE HIS SECOND STUDENT EXITED AND THE THIRD STUDENT GOT IN AND ADJUSTED HIS SEAT AND PEDALS. AFTER PERFORMING THE BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKS, THE STUDENT PILOT BEGAN TO BRING THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER. AS THE STUDENT BEGAN TO HOVER, THE IP LOOKED TO THE LEFT IN THE DIRECTION THAT THEY INTENDED TO HOVER. HE STATED THAT BEFORE HE COMPLETED THE CLEARING GLANCE, HE FELT THE HELICOPTER PITCH FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FORWARD PART OF THE RIGHT SKID HIT THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE IP STATED THAT HE TOOK CONTROL AND FELT EXTREME RIGHT/FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE CYCLIC, THE RIGHT PEDAL FELT STUCK, AND THE COLLECTIVE HAD AN EXTREME DOWNWARD PRESSURE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE 3 MAIN HYDRAULIC SERVOS AND TAIL ROTOR SERVO WERE FOUND OPERTIONAL. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT STRUCTURAL FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N118EF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1239
- Airframe hours: 1399
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU IIIA 592 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Heli Flight Systems, Inc.
- Registered owner: Heli Flight Systems, Inc.
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,987 total, 19 in this make and model, 3,349 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820810036659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820810036659A), Aug 10, 1982: Aerosp SA341G, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter pitched right and forward after lift off and then rotated to left, causing substantial damage.

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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