Aerospatiale SA315B N220SH

Summary

On 2 September 2005 at about 18:40 local time, a Aerospatiale SA315B registered N220SH was involved in an accident near Duchesne, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 September 2005 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Duchesne, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Duchesne Muninipal Airport (U69)

Coordinates

40.1925, -110.3808

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA315B

Registration

N220SH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

External Load

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Duschene → Duschene

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN05LA131

1 person had minor injuries.

the loss of control during external load operations for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a helicopter external load operation, the pilot was attempting to lift a 1,500 pound drill rig that was attached to the end of a 75-foot long line at a terrain elevation of approximately 7,000 feet msl. As the drill was being lifted off the ground, the helicopter "suddenly [and] violently accelerated (pitched) down [and] left." The pilot attempted to correct the uncommanded movement by applying right aft cyclic; however, the helicopter began a "rapid spin to the left." A ground witness observed the helicopter complete 3 or 4, 360-degree rotations. The pilot then closed the throttle to the flight idle position, and the left rotation stopped. The helicopter entered a descent toward the terrain with approximately 10 knots of forward airspeed. Approximately 30-40 feel above ground level (agl), the pilot pulled the "remaining" collective to slow the descent and rotor RPM. The helicopter's main rotor blades contacted trees, and subsequently the helicopter came to rest on its right side. During the accident sequence, the pilot did not jettison the external load. The pilot reported the wind conditions as "calm" and the temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the accident. Examination of the airframe, systems, and a functional test of the engine revealed no anomalies. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.