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NTSB Report
June 23, 1982 · Aerospatiale SA-316B · N6456
Dardanelle, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Dardanelle, CA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA-316B
Tail Number
N6456
Operator
Continental Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FA232
THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM MODESTO, CA ON A MEDIVAC FLIGHT TO PICK UP A VICTIM THAT WAS INJURED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. A NURSE AND A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WERE ON BOARD. SPOTLIGHTS ON VEHICLES WERE USED TO ILLUMINATE THE LANDING AREA AS WELL AS HIGH SURROUNDING TREES. AFTER CIRCLING ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE ABOUT 134 FT AGL WHILE IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES REMAIN LODGE IN THE TREE AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE TREE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM MODESTO, CA ON A MEDIVAC FLIGHT TO PICK UP A VICTIM THAT WAS INJURED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. A NURSE AND A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WERE ON BOARD. SPOTLIGHTS ON VEHICLES WERE USED TO ILLUMINATE THE LANDING AREA AS WELL AS HIGH SURROUNDING TREES. AFTER CIRCLING ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE ABOUT 134 FT AGL WHILE IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES REMAIN LODGE IN THE TREE AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE TREE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:26 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA-316B
Tail NumberN6456
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorContinental Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSIE IIIB · Turboshaft · 850
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter0