# NTSB SEA93LA196: Aerospatiale SA-365-N2, N818R, Ogden, UT, September 10, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1993, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Ogden, UT - Location: 41.2284° N, 111.9681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ogden, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2284&lon=-111.9681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA196 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS GLASSY WATER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING A FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING OVER GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD SET THE BUG ON THE RADAR ALTIMETER FOR 50 FEET; HOWEVER, WHILE HE WAS LOOKING OUTSIDE FOR REFERENCE, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED BELOW 50 FEET. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SUDDENLY HAD A SENSATION OF MOVEMENT OVER THE WATER, AND JUST SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE WATER, THE PILOT NOTED TEN FEET ABOVE WATER LEVEL ON THE RADAR ALTIMETER. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1993, at 1530 mountain daylight time, an Aerospatiale SA365N2, N818R, collided with the water in the Great Salt Lake while maneuvering 10 miles west of Ogden, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the corporate flight. The helicopter was destroyed and the certificated Airline Transport pilot and two passengers suffered minor injuries, two passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger was fatally injured. The flight had departed from the Ogden area on September 19, 1993, at 1330. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to take a camera crew up to produce aerial videography and still photos of the area's mineral extraction facilities. The helicopter had been flying in the area for approximately two hours at varying altitudes from 50 feet to 900 feet. While travelling back to the landing area, the camera director wanted to get one more shot of the water at low level. The pilot noted that the water was calm and glassy and provided no depth perception. The pilot set the decision height "bug" to 50 feet on the radar altimeter then began the descending right turn at 300 feet per minute and 95 knots. At 50 feet above water level, the pilot rolled to level flight and slowed the helicopter to 60 to 70 knots. The pilot was using outside reference while maneuvering and stated that he suddenly turned his attention to the radar altimeter when he felt the sensation of speed over the water and noted that the altitude read 10 feet. Approximately two seconds later the helicopter contacted the water surface. The helicopter pitched over and came to rest on its left side in four feet of water. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N818R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N818R-1994-03-30), registration cancelled 1994-03-30, S/N 6377 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-365-N2 - Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 365 N2 DAUPHIN](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-365-n2-dauphin) (registry code 8680815) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6377 - Airframe hours: 462 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1C2 724 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: American Stores - Registered owner: American Stores - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 28, 1993, 12 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,066 total, 233 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OGD, 23 nm away 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.