ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 33321
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| Date: | Monday 5 October 1998 |
| Time: | 15:30 LT |
| Type: |  Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama |
| Owner/operator: | Central Copters, Inc. |
| Registration: | N5803J |
| MSN: | 2646 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1983 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4724 hours |
| Engine model: | Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Big Sky,Montana -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Bozeman, MT (KBZN) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
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.
Probable Cause: 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.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB SEA99LA001
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Sep-2008 01:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 19-Mar-2015 19:00 | astazou | Updated [Time, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Country, Phase, Nature, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 04-Apr-2024 16:30 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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