# NTSB LAX85FA126: Aerospatiale SA316B, N67081, Galt, CA, January 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1985, 07:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Galt, CA
- Coordinates: 38.269523, -121.2201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2695&lon=-121.2201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - loss,total
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE THE PLT LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL AND ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX WAS FOUND 45 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD WAS FOUND 60 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. IT DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE, BUT DID DISPLAY 3 TAIL ROTOR BLADE MARKS. THE RIGHT EAR TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX ATTACHMENT BOLT SHEARED IN AN OVERLOAD MANNER. THE LEFT EAR TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS MISSING AND THE EAR SHOWED COMPRESSION DAMAGE AT THE BOTTOM AFT EDGE OF ITS INSIDE PLATE. THERE WAS NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACTFAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67081](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67081), registered now, S/N 2184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680515) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2184
- Airframe hours: 2054
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 29, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 482 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 16 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 19850130001409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850130001409A), Jan 30, 1985: Aerosp SA315B, Galt, CA, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor control, hit in left turn, rolled onto side. Tail rotor gearbox attachment bolts sheared, missing.

## Other investigations on N67081 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN82DA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA130), Jul 8, 1982: Aerospatiale SA316B (N67081), Meeteetse, WY, destroyed

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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