# NTSB SEA87LA092: Aerospatiale SA315-D Lama, N47256, Siletz, OR, May 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1987, 06:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Siletz, OR
- Coordinates: 44.769207, -123.919288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7692&lon=-123.9193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA092

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - pickup equipment - disconnected (cause)
  - tie down - not attained, ground personnel (cause)
  - rotor system - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor system - foreign object (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS THE CHOCKERS BECAME LOOSE DUE TO IMPROPER LOADING. THE EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILROTOR CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. THE HELICOPTER ASSUMED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SPUN TO THE LEFT, IMPACTING TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT SKID, AND THEN ROLLING OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS LOCATED 100 YARDS FROM THE IMPACT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47256](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47256-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 2433, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315-D LAMA (SA315-D LA)
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTEIIIB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artousteiiib) (registry code 60003, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2433
- Airframe hours: 7186
- Engines: ARTOUSTE IIIB T-MECA 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1987, 94 hours before
- Departed: NEWPORT, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,896 total, 1,666 in this make and model, 7,875 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870513016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870513016029A), May 13, 1987: Aerosp SA315B, Siletz, OR, Destroyed. The helicopter lost control when the lift cable contacted the tail rotor. The load had been improperly secured.

## Other investigations on N47256 (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 CHI76FET41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FET41), Jun 21, 1976: Aerospatle SE3160 (N47256), Medaryville, IN, 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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