# NTSB NYC83LA028: Aerospatiale SA316B, N72590, West Mifflin, PA, November 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1982, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.360862, -79.899765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3609&lon=-79.8998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT TURNED AIRCRAFT INTO THE WIND TO PERFORM POWER CHECK. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 FT ABOVE THE GROUND THE PILOT REPORTEDLY BEGAN RECEIVING FEEDBACK THROUGH THE CYCLIC. MODERATE THEN SEVERE VIBRATION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS REPORTED. AIRCRAFT YAWED 90 DEGREES LEFT AND THE PILOT LOWERED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE GROUND. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, TAILBOOM, VERTICAL FINS, TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT AND TAIL ROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72590](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72590-1995-05-19), registration cancelled 1995-05-19, S/N 1509 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Registry model: [Sud SA316B ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa316b-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1509
- Airframe hours: 5132
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTTOUSTE III 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Life Flight, Allegheny General
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopter
- Departed: PITTSBURGH, PA
- Destination: PITTSBURGH, PA
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny County, runway 28, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,381 total, 970 in this make and model, 6,332 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 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 19821113058559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821113058559A), Nov 13, 1982: Aerosp SA316B, West Mifflin, PA, Substantial damage. Helicopter began to vibrate and turn during hover. Landed hard on wheels. Cyclic bumping damaged rotors and tail.

## Other investigations on N72590 (2)

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 DEN88FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA091), Apr 2, 1988: Aerospatiale SA316B (N72590), Silver Plume, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC83FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA244), Sep 17, 1983: Sud SA316B (N72590), Pittsburgh, PA, 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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