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NTSB Report
October 26, 1984 · Aerospatiale SA316B · N8624
Lima, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Lima, MT
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA316B
Tail Number
N8624
Operator
Nor West Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA020
APRX 35 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE SEISMIC OPERATIONS BEING CONDUCTED ABOUT 10 MI NE WERE SECURED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND HIGH WINDS. THE PLT ESTIMATED WIND TO HAVE BEEN FROM 180 DEG AT 40 KTS GUSTING TO 60. AS THE PLT APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE DOWNWIND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE PLT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN INTO THE WIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT AT APRX 75 FT AGL HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. NEARING THE GROUND HE PULLED ALL AVAILABLE COLLECTIVE PITCH BUT COULD NOT CONTROL THE SINK RATE. ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE TAIL SPUN 20 TO 30 DEG TO THE LEFT AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ONTO IT'S RIGHT SIDE.
Full Narrative
APRX 35 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE SEISMIC OPERATIONS BEING CONDUCTED ABOUT 10 MI NE WERE SECURED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND HIGH WINDS. THE PLT ESTIMATED WIND TO HAVE BEEN FROM 180 DEG AT 40 KTS GUSTING TO 60. AS THE PLT APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE DOWNWIND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE PLT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN INTO THE WIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT AT APRX 75 FT AGL HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. NEARING THE GROUND HE PULLED ALL AVAILABLE COLLECTIVE PITCH BUT COULD NOT CONTROL THE SINK RATE. ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE TAIL SPUN 20 TO 30 DEG TO THE LEFT AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ONTO IT'S RIGHT SIDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA316B
Tail NumberN8624
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNor West Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE IIIB · Turboshaft · 562
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 40 kt, gusting 60 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO