Aerospatiale SA316B CFPWH

Summary

On 28 October 1997 at about 17:12 local time, a Aerospatiale SA316B registered CFPWH was involved in an accident near Counselor, New Mexico, 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

28 October 1997 at 17:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Counselor, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.1690, -107.5598

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA316B

Registration

CFPWH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA033

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot inadvertently allowing the helicopter to settle with power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was being trained in the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation for deploying and retrieving seismic equipment. A long line was being used to sling the equipment to drilling sites. The pilot descended into a canyon towards the next drop site. He lowered collective slightly and established a 200 fpm (feet per minute) descent rate. He 'immediately got an uncomfortable feeling about the situation.' He decided to abort the approach and try a longer, more shallow approach into the canyon. He pushed forward slightly on the cyclic and increased collective to initiate a climb. The helicopter shuddered and the rate of descent increased. The pilot realized the helicopter had encountered its on downwash and was 'settling with power.' He lowered collective and pushed forward on the cyclic. The helicopter struck the ground, bounced slightly to the left, and spun around. The wind was light and variable.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.