# NTSB NYC82FGM12: Aerospatiale SA 316B, N8259, Crafton, PA, July 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1982, 22:35 local (Jul 5, 1982, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Crafton, PA
- Location: 40.4333° N, 80.0711° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crafton, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4333&lon=-80.0711&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGM12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGM12

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - turbine assembly,shaft bearing - other (cause)
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, cruise - normal
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT. IMMEDIATELY, THE NOSE YAWED TO THE LEFT AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT ENTERED AUTORATION AND MADE A HARD LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE AFT BEARING SUPPORT HAD TWO BOLTS MISSING AND THE THIRD BOLT WAS SHEARED BUT STILL IN THE MOUNT HOLE. THIS ALLOWED THE AFT TURBINE SECTION TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TURBINE HOUSING. EXAMINATION OF THE FIRST STAGE AXIAL COMPRESSOR REVEALED BLADE NUMBER 4 TO HAVE A PIECE MISSING FROM THE ROOT SECTION. FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE WAS EVIDENT ON OTHER BLADES EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8259-1996-10-31), registration cancelled 1996-10-31, S/N 1771 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA 316B
- Registry model: [Sud SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1771
- Airframe hours: 4551
- Engines: TURBOMECA 858 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mt Helicopter Inc
- Registered owner: Rocky Mt Helicopter Inc
- Departed: CRAFTON, PA
- Destination: CRAFTON, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,396 total, 735 in this make and model, 5,984 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles

## 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 19820704027349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820704027349A), Jul 4, 1982: Aerosp SA316B, Crafton, PA, Substantial damage. Rasping noise and power loss, made hard vertical landing. A turbine blade had separated, caused internal damage.

## Other investigations on N8259 (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 OAK74FXQ34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FXQ34), Apr 24, 1974: Alouette III (N8259), East Dayton, NV, substantial damage

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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