# NTSB WPR10LA452: Aerospatiale SA315, N17285, Winters, CA, September 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2010, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Winters, CA - Coordinates: 38.541942, -121.92778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5419&lon=-121.9278&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA452 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77234/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77234 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA452 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Aerospatiale SA315B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8680615), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff and about 200 feet above ground level, the engine decelerated to an idle power setting. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but, due to the low height above the ground, the helicopter landed hard. During the postaccident engine examination, the fuel pump and fuel governor were removed and placed on a test bench for an operational check. Both the fuel pump and governor performed within normal parameters. Further examination found non-metallic particles within the fuel filter; however, their presence would not have reduced the fuel flow and contributed to the engine deceleration event. An examination of the remaining engine components and airframe systems revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would preclude normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2010, about 0700 Pacific daylight time, an Aerospatiale SA315B, N17285, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, and made a hard landing near Winters, California. The helicopter was operated by Precision Helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agriculture operation. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage following the hard landing; the tail boom was cut off. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area crop dusting operation, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was departing from a private helipad at the time of the accident. In an interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated that the hopper was full of a water-based fertilizer. He thought there was a possible issue with the fuel pump, and also stated that there was a low fuel situation. Shortly after liftoff, about 200 feet above the ground, the engine decelerated and went to an idle power setting. The pilot performed an autorotation, but due to the height above the ground, the helicopter landed hard. During the hard landing, the landing gear skids spread, and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom; separating the tail boom. The pilot was interviewed by an airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who responded to the accident site. The pilot had started flying the accident helicopter at 0530 the morning of the accident. At that time the helicopter was fueled with 30 gallons of fuel, making the total a little less than 90 gallons of fuel. The fuel tank was sumped to check for water with none identified. The fuel pump and fuel governor were removed and sent to Turbomeca in France, and were examined under the supervision of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (Bureau d’Enquêtes et d ’Analysis - BEA) of France. Both units were placed on a test bench for an operational check. Both the fuel pump and governor performed within normal parameters. Further examination exhibited non-metallic particles within the filter; however, their presence was not believed to be of concern. An internal examination of both units revealed no further anomalies. An examination of the remaining engine and airframe systems revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17285](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17285-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 2333, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA315 (B) - 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: 2333 - Airframe hours: 4334 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE III 900 lbs thrust turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Precision Helicopter - Registered owner: Denali Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2010, 190 hours before - Departed: PVT, Winters, CA - Destination: PVT, Winters, CA - Airport: PVT, PVT Helipad ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,115 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 20 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: SMF, 15 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 20100907048869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100907048869A), Sep 7, 2010: Aerospatial SA315B, Winters, CA, Destroyed. N17285 SA-315-B lama helicopter lost engine power / RPM after take-off climb to transitioning to forward flight. Resulted in the helicopter impacting hard on… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77234. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Fuel Pump Report - BEA (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Pump%20Report%20-%20BEA-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt Aircraft Records (item 5, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20Aircraft%20Records-Redacted.PDF 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.