# NTSB SEA92LA076: Aerospatiale SA315B, N315DY, Magna, UT, April 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1992, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Magna, UT
- Coordinates: 40.699775, -112.079353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6998&lon=-112.0794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA076

## Probable cause

THE OVERHEAT OF THE ENGINE COMBUSTION SECTION, AND THE FAILURE OF THE TURBINE BLADES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, hover
  - turboshaft engine,combustion chamber - overtemperature (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - melted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AEROSPATIALE SA315B WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT AN EXTERNAL LOAD LIQUID DISPENSING BUCKET WHEN HE REACHED THE MAIN ROTOR PITCH LIMIT. HE THEREFORE REDUCED THE COLLECTIVE, AND AT THE SAME MOMENT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SETTLED ONTO THE BUCKET IT HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO LIFT, AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER AND CONTACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE ENGINE HAD EXPERIENCED AN OVER TEMPERATURE CONDITION, WHICH CAUSED THE TURBINE BLADES TO FAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N315DY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315DY-1995-02-28), registration cancelled 1995-02-28, S/N 2622 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA315B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa315b) (registry code 8680615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2622
- Airframe hours: 3973
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE IIIB 858 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Bayside Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 10, 1992, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,106 total, 3,842 in this make and model, 9,106 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 0.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920413009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920413009719A), Apr 13, 1992: Aerosp SA315B, Magna, UT, Substantial damage. Engine was over tempted during attempt to hoist a overload. Flames turbine pieces from exhaust. Crash onto load.

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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