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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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April 24, 1982 · S N I A S AS350 · N5768Z

Gold Strike, NV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 5 uninjured
Location
Gold Strike, NV
Aircraft
S N I A S AS350
Tail Number
N5768Z
Operator
Bauer Helicopter
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX82DA147

THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF THE GRAND CANYON. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGERS WANTED TO GET OUT WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS UNDERGOING ITS TWO-MINUTE, COOL-DOWN PERIOD. THE PILOT ESCORTED FOUR OF THE PASSENGERS FROM THE HELICOPTER WHILE AN ATTENDANT WAS ASSISTING A FIFTH PASSENGER IN UNLOADING HER POSSESSIONS. A GUST OF WIND REMOVED THE FIFTH PASSENGER'S HAT, AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE MOVING TAIL ROTOR AS SHE CHASED THE HAT. THE PASSENGER DIED SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD 30 TO 40 FLIGHTS A DAY AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WERE NOT SHUT DOWN BETWEEN FLIGHTS, BUT THAT THE PASSENGERS WERE ESCORTED.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF THE GRAND CANYON. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGERS WANTED TO GET OUT WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS UNDERGOING ITS TWO-MINUTE, COOL-DOWN PERIOD. THE PILOT ESCORTED FOUR OF THE PASSENGERS FROM THE HELICOPTER WHILE AN ATTENDANT WAS ASSISTING A FIFTH PASSENGER IN UNLOADING HER POSSESSIONS. A GUST OF WIND REMOVED THE FIFTH PASSENGER'S HAT, AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE MOVING TAIL ROTOR AS SHE CHASED THE HAT. THE PASSENGER DIED SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD 30 TO 40 FLIGHTS A DAY AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WERE NOT SHUT DOWN BETWEEN FLIGHTS, BUT THAT THE PASSENGERS WERE ESCORTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftS N I A S AS350
Tail NumberN5768Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageMinor
OperatorBauer Helicopter
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-600A2 · Turboshaft · 615
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 5 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total6
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data