Aerospatiale SA-365-N2 N818R

Summary

On 10 September 1993 at about 21:30 local time, a Aerospatiale SA-365-N2 registered N818R, operated by American Stores, was involved in an accident near Ogden, Utah, United States. 6 people were on board and one died, 2 were seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 September 1993 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ogden, Utah, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA-365-N2

Registration

N818R

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

American Stores

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA93LA196

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS GLASSY WATER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING OVER GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD SET THE BUG ON THE RADAR ALTIMETER FOR 50 FEET; HOWEVER, WHILE HE WAS LOOKING OUTSIDE FOR REFERENCE, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED BELOW 50 FEET. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SUDDENLY HAD A SENSATION OF MOVEMENT OVER THE WATER, AND JUST SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE WATER, THE PILOT NOTED TEN FEET ABOVE WATER LEVEL ON THE RADAR ALTIMETER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.