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NTSB Report
April 20, 1982 · Aerospatiale SA315B · N9007N
Big Piney, WY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Big Piney, WY
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA315B
Tail Number
N9007N
Operator
High Life Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN82FTC03
THE ACFT WAS ENGAGED IN SEISMIC ACTIVITY SUPPLYING EXPLOSIVES BY LONG LINE. THE ENG FAILED AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL. THE LOAD WAS RELEASED & AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED. AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE ENG TEARDOWN INDICATED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 BLADE ON THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY. FATIGUE CRACK DEVELOPOMENTOCCURRED ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 OF THE PLATFORM AREA BEFORE FINAL SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE BLADE SEPARATION CAUSED SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING EXTREME AXIAL WHEEL DAMAGE, DESTRUCTIONOF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR DIFFUSER & BEARING FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ENGAGED IN SEISMIC ACTIVITY SUPPLYING EXPLOSIVES BY LONG LINE. THE ENG FAILED AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL. THE LOAD WAS RELEASED & AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED. AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE ENG TEARDOWN INDICATED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 BLADE ON THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY. FATIGUE CRACK DEVELOPOMENTOCCURRED ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 2/3 OF THE PLATFORM AREA BEFORE FINAL SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE BLADE SEPARATION CAUSED SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING EXTREME AXIAL WHEEL DAMAGE, DESTRUCTIONOF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR DIFFUSER & BEARING FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA315B
Tail NumberN9007N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHigh Life Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTE 111B · Turboshaft · 858
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0