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NTSB Report
April 18, 1988 · Aerospatiale SA315B · N65185
Near Central, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Near Central, AK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA315B
Tail Number
N65185
Operator
Rocky Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC88LA046
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED AT THE 'HOT' REFUELING SITE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER FOR A CREW CHANGE. THE HOT REFUELING LANDING PAD CONSISTED OF A BLACK MEMBRANE WITH BUNDLES OF LATHS PLACED PERPENDICULAR TO THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS TO PREVENT THE SKIDS FROM PUNCTURING THE MEMBRANE. THE PILOT LANDED ON THESE LATHS AND FRICTIONED THE CONTROLS DOWN AND LEFT THE ENGINE AND ROTOR BLADES OPERATING AT FULL RPM. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER IT SHIFTED REARWARD. HE JUMPED BACK IN THE SEAT ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, TURNED 180 DEGREES, AND CRASHED. THE REFUELER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED AT THE 'HOT' REFUELING SITE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER FOR A CREW CHANGE. THE HOT REFUELING LANDING PAD CONSISTED OF A BLACK MEMBRANE WITH BUNDLES OF LATHS PLACED PERPENDICULAR TO THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS TO PREVENT THE SKIDS FROM PUNCTURING THE MEMBRANE. THE PILOT LANDED ON THESE LATHS AND FRICTIONED THE CONTROLS DOWN AND LEFT THE ENGINE AND ROTOR BLADES OPERATING AT FULL RPM. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HELICOPTER IT SHIFTED REARWARD. HE JUMPED BACK IN THE SEAT ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, TURNED 180 DEGREES, AND CRASHED. THE REFUELER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA315B
Tail NumberN65185
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRocky Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE IIIB · Turboshaft · 562
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5° @ 10 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO