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January 29, 2001 · S N I A S SE 3130 Alouette II · N31330

Driggs, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 29, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Driggs, ID
Aircraft
S N I A S SE 3130 Alouette II
Tail Number
N31330
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA01LA043

The pilot reported that the flight was uneventful until the landing. When the helicopter touched down on the ramp, the cyclic control began to shake "very violently" in his hand along with the helicopter starting to move forward and aft. The pilot thought that it might be ground resonance and lifted off to a hover. The condition worsened, and the pilot increased the hover. The helicopter began to oscillate and the pilot could not stabilize the movement. The pilot then turned the helicopter to the left then back to the right to verify the location of a fuel truck. When the truck was locate, the pilot lowered the collective to land. The right rear skid contacted the surface first and the helicopter rocked forward and to the right. The helicopter rolled to the right, coming to rest on its right side. Post-accident inspection of the main rotor dampers found no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On January 29, 2001, at 1630 mountain standard time, a S.N.I.A.S. SE 3130 Alouette II, N31330, registered to and operated by J.H. Jet as a 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight, rolled over on the ramp at Reed Memorial airport, Driggs, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Driggs about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that the local sightseeing flight was uneventful. When they returned to the airport, the pilot entered into a hover over the departure end of runway 21 to hover taxi to the ramp. The pilot stated that the helicopter touched down on the ramp and he lowered the collective to unload the main rotor blades. At this point the cyclic control started shaking "very violently" in his hand along with the helicopter starting to move forward and aft. The pilot thought that it might be ground resonance and lifted the helicopter back off to about a three to six foot hover. The conditions worsened as the helicopter began to oscillate and could not be stabilized. The pilot raised the hover to about 10 to 12 feet, and lowered the collective thinking that it might reduce the movement. When that did not help, the pilot turned the helicopter about 90 degrees to verify the location of a fuel truck. When the truck was located, the pilot then turned the helicopter back to the right and prepared to touchdown, cautioning his passengers that the helicopter might roll after touchdown. During the landing, the right rear skid contacted the ground first and the helicopter tipped forward to the right and started to roll. The helicopter rolled over to the right and came to rest on its right side. After the accident, the main rotor dampers were removed from the helicopter. The mechanic from Teton Aviation Center, Driggs, Idaho, performing the inspection reported that, "Functional checks of the dampers showed normal operation. Disassembled dampers and inspected, found no obvious damage or hidden damage that would cause abnormal function."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 MST
Nearest AirportReed Memorial (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftS N I A S SE 3130 Alouette II
Tail NumberN31330
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Artouste IIC5 · Turboshaft · 496
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-9 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data