# NTSB SEA92FA100: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N9000E, Yamhill, OR, May 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1992, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Yamhill, OR
- Coordinates: 45.35968, -123.239173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3597&lon=-123.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED A MANEUVER PERFORMED AT INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE GIVING RIDES TO EMPLOYEES AT A COMPANY PICNIC, THE PILOT LOADED FOUR PASSENGERS, FLEW TO HIS BASE, REFUELED, HAD A MINOR REPAIR COMPLETED, THEN DEPARTED ON THE RETURN FLIGHT.  DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT, HE TOLD THE PASSENGERS THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS THE AIRCRAFT USED IN A TELEVISION SERIES, THEN DEMONSTRATED A SERIES OF MANEUVERS RELATED TO THOSE USED IN THE TELEVISION SHOW.  DURING A MANEUVER, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE SURFACE IN HILLY WOODED TERRAIN, AND BURNED AFTER IMPACT. ONE PASSENGER ASSISTED THE OTHER THREE PASSENGERS OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT. ONE PASSENGER DIED WHILE WAITING FOR RESCUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9000E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9000E-1992-12-28), registration cancelled 1992-12-28, S/N 1471 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA341G GAZELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa341g-gazelle) (registry code 8680610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1471
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU IIIA 592 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Teufel Nursery, Inc
- Registered owner: Teufel Nursery, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1992, 64 hours before
- Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: OR05, FLYING M RANCH, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,253 total, 726 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 17 nm away

## 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 19920516015209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920516015209A), May 16, 1992: Snias SA341G, Yamhill, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted trees diving and steep turns in hilly terrain. No mechanical. Pilot giving rides at company picnic.

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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