# NTSB LAX88LA091: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N61DR, Bowie, AZ, January 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1988, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Bowie, AZ
- Location: 32.3249° N, 109.4845° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bowie, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3249&lon=-109.4845&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - compressor assembly - stall
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61DR-1991-03-07), registration cancelled 1991-03-07, S/N 1391 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA341G GAZELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa341g-gazelle) (registry code 8680610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1391
- Airframe hours: 2409
- Engines: ASTAZOU IIIA 592 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Redman, Don L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: LORDSBURG, NM
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,250 total, 160 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 5 °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 19880118001059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880118001059A), Jan 18, 1988: Snias SA341G, Bowie, AZ, Substantial damage. Made turn in canyon to avoid snow. Used full power. Caused compressor stall. Autorotation onto rocky area. Tipped 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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