Aerospatiale SA-315B N5803J

Summary

On 5 October 1998 at about 20:30 local time, a Aerospatiale SA-315B registered N5803J was involved in an accident near Big Sky, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 1998 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Sky, Montana, United States

Coordinates

45.2605, -111.3196

Aircraft

Aerospatiale SA-315B

Registration

N5803J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bozeman → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA001

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the ground handlers (chokers) to follow procedures, and separation of the tail rotor system. Contributing factors were incorrect long line hook (size), jamming of the hook release, trees and gusty wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was engaged in logging operations associated with the clearing of a recreational ski lodge construction site. This was the first time the operator had worked with this particular ground crew (chokers). The chokers were briefed by the pilot-in-command (PIC) and were supposed to hook up only two marked logs at a time (marked with orange fluorescent paint). However, they hooked up three logs together, one of which was still rooted. During the lifting operation, the PIC encountered resistance and attempted to electrically release the long line several times without success. The failure of the long line to release was due to jamming because of the use of an oversize clevis attaching the hook. When the long line finally released after the use of the manual system, the helicopter rotated along its longitudinal axis at such an angle that the tail rotor contacted trees and separated from the aircraft. It then descended out of control until impacting the ground. Winds at the site were strong and gusty.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.