S N I A S AS350 N5768Z

Summary

On 24 April 1982 at about 20:15 local time, a S N I A S AS350 registered N5768Z, operated by Bauer Helicopter, Inc, was involved in an accident near Gold Strike, Nevada, United States. 6 people were on board and one died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

24 April 1982 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Gold Strike, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

35.9903, -114.8110

Aircraft

S N I A S AS350

Registration

N5768Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Bauer Helicopter, Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gold Strike → Gold Strike

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX82DA147

1 person died.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.