# NTSB LAX82FA117: Aerospatiale SA316B, N9829C, Near Brideport, CA, March 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1982, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Brideport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.269397, -119.330055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2694&lon=-119.3301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA117

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - lubricating system - overload (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA, THE PILOT BEGAN CLIMBING IN UP-CURRENTS ON THE SIDE OF A CANYON. WHILE FOLLOWING A RIDGE AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL (11,000 FT MSL), HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A SHUDDER AND VIBRATIONS. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DESCENDING RAPIDLY. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD THE RIDGE AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SNOWFIELD. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE OIL FILTER COVER OF THE GEAR BOX HAD SEPARATED. A TAPERED PIN WHICH WAS USED TO SECURE THE COVER HAD SHEARED FROM OVERLOAD. A DISASSEMBLY OF THE MAIN TRANSMISSION REVEALED THAT THE LOWER PLANETARY GEAR HAD FAILED FROM OIL STARVATION. ONLY 20 MM OF OIL WAS FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9829C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9829C-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 1242, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SE3160 ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-se3160-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (registry code 60003, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1242
- Airframe hours: 7253
- Engines: TURBOMECCA ARTOUSTE IIIB 858 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mammoth Heli-Ski Tioyabe Corp.
- Registered owner: Robert'S Aircraft, Inc.
- Departed: PRIVATE HELIPOR, CA
- Destination: VICTORIA PEAK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,092 total, 241 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTH, 41 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 19820322004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820322004739A), Mar 22, 1982: Aerosp SA316B, Bridgeport, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed on mountain during hard autorotation landing.

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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