# NTSB MIA85LA020: Aerospatiale SA-315-B, N49504, West Bay, FL, October 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1984, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: West Bay, FL
- Coordinates: 30.199941, -85.7901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1999&lon=-85.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub pitch link - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub pitch link - stripped thread
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WHILE ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD AGRICULTURAL FLT. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT AT A LOADING AREA THE ACFT STARTED SPINNING, THE EXT LOAD WAS JETTISONED, AND THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PITCH CHANGE DRUM, PN 3160566-00-009-1, WAS WORN THROUGHOUT ITS INTERIOR ALUMINUM SPLINES. THE PITCH CONTROL DRUM HAD BEEN REMOVED ON AUG 9, 1984 AND THE ACFT MANUAL STATES THAT EACH TIME THE DRUM IS REMOVED IT IS TO BE VISUALLY CHECKED FOR WEAR. BETWEEN AUG 9 AND OCT 29 1984, THE ACFT WAS EXPOSED TO 236.9 HRS OF OPERATING TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49504 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-315-B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2474
- Airframe hours: 6470
- Engines: ARTOUSTE III B 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Registered owner: High Life Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,230 total, 200 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 57 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 19841029060749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841029060749A), Oct 29, 1984: Aerosp SA315B, West Bay, FL, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor control while lowering external load. Began spinning. Dropped load but crashed and 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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