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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 20, 1986 · Aerospatiale SA315B · N27387

Meeker, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Meeker, CO
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA315B
Tail Number
N27387
Operator
Colorado Airlift
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86LA082

DURING THE LIFT OFF THE RIGHT SKID TOE OF THE HELICOPTER CAUGHT A SEISMIC CABLE WHICH WAS COVERED BY APRX 2 FT OF SNOW. THE PLT STATED HE BROUGHT THE ACFT TO A HOVER AFTER OFF LOADING 2 PAX & STARTED A RIGHT SIDEWARD HOVER. WHEN THE SLACK WAS OUT OF THE SEISMIC CABLE, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED RIGHT, PAST THE CRITICAL ROLL ANGLE & ENCOUNTERED DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.

Full Narrative

DURING THE LIFT OFF THE RIGHT SKID TOE OF THE HELICOPTER CAUGHT A SEISMIC CABLE WHICH WAS COVERED BY APRX 2 FT OF SNOW. THE PLT STATED HE BROUGHT THE ACFT TO A HOVER AFTER OFF LOADING 2 PAX & STARTED A RIGHT SIDEWARD HOVER. WHEN THE SLACK WAS OUT OF THE SEISMIC CABLE, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED RIGHT, PAST THE CRITICAL ROLL ANGLE & ENCOUNTERED DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA315B
Tail NumberN27387
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorColorado Airlift
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE IIIB · Turboshaft · 562
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data