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NTSB Report
April 6, 1990 · Aerospatiale SA-315B · N37903
Trading Bay, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Trading Bay, AK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA-315B
Tail Number
N37903
Operator
Nthrn Geophysical of America
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90LA045
THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE TOOK OFF, THERE WAS 1-1/2 TO 2 MI VIS WITH LIGHT SNOW. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, HE ENCOUNTERED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS & INITIATED A LANDING. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHDOWN HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT, DUE TO LACK OF VISUAL CURE DURING THE LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE TOOK OFF, THERE WAS 1-1/2 TO 2 MI VIS WITH LIGHT SNOW. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, HE ENCOUNTERED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS & INITIATED A LANDING. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHDOWN HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA-315B
Tail NumberN37903
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNthrn Geophysical of America
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE IIIB · Turboshaft · 550
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured1
Total5
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 25 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO