# NTSB SEA83LA170: Aerospatiale SA-315B, N49532, Montpelier, ID, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1983, 10:07 local (16:07 UTC)
- Place: Montpelier, ID
- Coordinates: 42.279323, -111.330017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2793&lon=-111.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT & 3 PASSENGERS WERE ON A FLT TO FIND DRILLING SUPPLIES THAT HAD BEEN DROPPED OFF OF A TRUCK ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HOVERING DOWN AN ABANDONED ROAD AT ABOUT 5 TO 10 MPH & 15 TO 20 FT AGL WHEN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. THE POWER LINES WERE UNMARKED & CROSSED THE ROAD AT A 90 DEG ANGLE. THE COLLISION OCCURRED WHERE THE LINES SPANNED 2000 FT BETWEEN SUPPORTS. AFTER HITTING THE POWER LINES, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND & CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49532](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49532-1990-09-07), registration cancelled 1990-09-07, S/N 2500 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2500
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: ARTOUSTE IIIB 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hosking Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1993, 67 hours before
- Departed: MONTPELIER, ID
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,001 total, 1,031 in this make and model, 3,837 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830807039859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830807039859A), Aug 7, 1983: Aerosp SA315B, Montpelier, ID, Substantial damage. Helicopter collided with wires during low level search operation. According to pilot he was preparing to land.

## Other investigations on N49532 (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 DEN84LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA292), Sep 17, 1984: Aerospatiale SA315B Lama (N49532), Mountain View, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN82DA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA126), Jul 2, 1982: Aerospatiale SA 315B (N49532), Big Piney, WY, 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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