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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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NTSB Report

August 12, 1985 · Aerospatiale SF3130 · N537

Buckeye, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Buckeye, AZ
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SF3130
Tail Number
N537
Operator
Helicopter Assoc
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA345

DURING A HOVER IN A CONFINED AREA THE PLT MISINTERPETED HIS PASSG SIGNAL TO MOVE TO A DIFERENT LOCATION AS A SIGNAL THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS IN DANGER. THE PLT USED ABRUPT CONTROL MOVEMENTS THAT RESULTED IN THE TOE OF A SKID HOOKING INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AFTER THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LNDG, ACCORDING TO THE PLTS REPORT.

Full Narrative

DURING A HOVER IN A CONFINED AREA THE PLT MISINTERPETED HIS PASSG SIGNAL TO MOVE TO A DIFERENT LOCATION AS A SIGNAL THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS IN DANGER. THE PLT USED ABRUPT CONTROL MOVEMENTS THAT RESULTED IN THE TOE OF A SKID HOOKING INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AFTER THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LNDG, ACCORDING TO THE PLTS REPORT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SF3130
Tail NumberN537
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopter Assoc
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE IIIB · Turboshaft · 562
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 1 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data