# NTSB LAX85LA345: Aerospatiale SF3130, N537, Buckeye, AZ, August 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.380649, -112.549621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3806&lon=-112.5496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA345

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - object - fence
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A HOVER IN A CONFINED AREA THE PLT MISINTERPETED HIS PASSG SIGNAL TO MOVE TO A DIFERENT LOCATION AS A SIGNAL THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS IN DANGER. THE PLT USED ABRUPT CONTROL MOVEMENTS THAT RESULTED IN THE TOE OF A SKID HOOKING INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AFTER THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LNDG, ACCORDING TO THE PLTS REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N537](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N537-2007-06-12), registration cancelled 2007-06-12, S/N 1150, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SF3130
- Registry model: [S N I A S SE 3130 ALOUETTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-se-3130-alouette-ii) (registry code 8680502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTE II series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artouste-ii-series) (registry code 60002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1150
- Airframe hours: 826
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Assoc. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: GYR, LITCHFIELD, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,300 total, 300 in this make and model, 7,150 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUF, 25 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 19850812040519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812040519A), Aug 12, 1985: Snias SE3130, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Skid of the helicopter hooked a fence during hover. When the pilot tried to pull up, the helicopter rolled over.

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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