Summary
On September 24, 1993, a Aerospatiale SA 315B (N351RM) was involved in an accident near Avery, ID. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL.
On September 24, 1993, at 1600 mountain daylight time, the main rotor blades on an Aerospatiale, SA 315B Lama, N351RM, struck a tree stump while standing on a narrow landing pad near Avery, Idaho. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter as it pitched over and rolled down the steep hill. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. The two passengers received minor injuries.
The operator reported that the helicopter had been conducting logging operations throughout the day. At the end of the day, the helicopter landed on the narrow pad to pick up and transport personnel from the logging site.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA93LA209. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N351RM.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 24, 1993, at 1600 mountain daylight time, the main rotor blades on an Aerospatiale, SA 315B Lama, N351RM, struck a tree stump while standing on a narrow landing pad near Avery, Idaho. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter as it pitched over and rolled down the steep hill. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. The two passengers received minor injuries.
The operator reported that the helicopter had been conducting logging operations throughout the day. At the end of the day, the helicopter landed on the narrow pad to pick up and transport personnel from the logging site. As the helicopter was standing with the engine running, one passenger was strapped into her seat, the other passenger was just boarding, when a loud bang was heard. The helicopter suddenly started to spin around and the one boarding passenger was thrown out of the helicopter. The pilot was unable to maintain control, and the helicopter travelled over the edge of the pad and rolled down the hill.
It was later found that the main rotor blade struck a tree stump that was in close proximity to the pad and approximately five feet, two inches above the skids.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA93LA209