# NTSB WPR12CA303: Sud Aviation/Eurocopter Alouette II SE313B, N45VX, Glenn, CA, July 13, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2012, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Glenn, CA
- Coordinates: 39.508888, -122.041389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5089&lon=-122.0414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84308/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84308
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA303

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a tailwind while hovering, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680507), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8680507), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8680507), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8680507), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680507), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While hovering, the student pilot lost directional control, and the helicopter spun around to the left 3 1/2 turns before it impacted the ground and rolled over after the right skid collapsed. The pilot reported that there was a tailwind of about 5 knots. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and the main gear box frame. The pilot said that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

While hovering the student pilot lost directional control and the helicopter spun around to the left 3 1/2 turns before rolling over after the right skid collapsed. The pilot reported that he had a tailwind of about 5 knots. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45VX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45VX), registered now, S/N 1229, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SUD AVIATION/EUROCOPTER ALOUETTE II SE313B
- Registry model: [Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sud-aviation-eurocopter-alouette-ii-se313b) (registry code 8680507) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARTOUSTE II series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-artouste-ii-series) (registry code 60002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1229
- Airframe hours: 3736
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTE II 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Priority Farms
- Registered owner: Priority Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 2012
- Departed: Glenn, CA
- Destination: Glenn, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; student, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 3,473 total, 26 in this make and model, 3,325 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 19 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 20120713016619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120713016619A), Jul 13, 2012: Sud Aviation/Eurocopter ALOUETTE II SE313B, Glen, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was out on a solo flight practicing take offs and landings. Pilot lost control of aircraft during hover.

## Other investigations on N45VX (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 GAA23WA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA118), Mar 1, 2023: Sud Aviation/Eurocopter Alouette II SE313B (N45VX), Mangsee Island, Philippines, 4 fatal

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84308. 432 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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