# NTSB SEA83FAD02: Sud SA 318C, N67099, Near Yakutat, AK, May 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1983, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Yakutat, AK
- Coordinates: 59.509487, -139.710601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5095&lon=-139.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FAD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FAD02

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT TO DELIVER 3 PASSENGERS & CARGO TO A RIDGE NEAR THE UPPER PART OF A GLACIER. THE ALTITUDE WAS APRX 5200 FT MSL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WX WAS 6000 FT SCATTERED, VISIBILITY 20 MI, WIND FROM THE EAST AT 5 KTS. ACCORDING TO HIM, HE ENCOUNTERED A WHITE-OUT CONDITION AS THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN DURING THE LANDING. THE RIGHT FLOAT, THEN THE MAIN ROTOR, STRUCK THE SNOW COVERED SURFACE & THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE HELICOPTER WAS SHUT DOWN & ALL OCCUPANTS EVACUATED WITH NO INJURIES. THEY REMAINED AT THE SCENE WITH SURVIVAL GEAR UNTIL RESCUED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE RESCUE WAS DELAYED BY WX.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67099](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67099-1986-03-13), registration cancelled 1986-03-13, S/N 2263 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SUD AVIATION SA 318C
- Registry model: [Sud SA 318C ALOUETTE AST](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-sa-318c-alouette-ast) (registry code 8680508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2263
- Airframe hours: 5360
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU IIA 485 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Era Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 25, 1983, 85 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: YAK, Yalutat

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,340 total, 1,034 in this make and model, 8,919 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: 12

## 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 19830520021519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520021519A), May 20, 1983: Snias SA318C, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. The helicopter touched down banked right and rotor hit glacier. Blowing snow from downwash caused whiteout.

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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