Aerospatiale AS-350BA accident near Monticello, Utah, December 2, 2002
On December 2, 2002 at about 6:25 pm local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350BA (helicopter), registered N20840, was substantially damaged in an accident near Monticello, Utah. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm. A related factor was the presence of an object in the path during the touchdown.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2002 · about 6:25 pm local time
- Place
- Monticello, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350BA · all AS-350BAs on the register
- Registration
- N20840 · no longer on the register · serial 1070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he had moved approximately 80 bags of seismic sensor cable earlier that morning with no problems. At approximately 1120, the pilot stopped operations to change lines. He proceeded to pick up five bags and was en route to the drop off point. During the approach to the north, the pilot "noticed that the Nr (rotor rpm) was high at roughly 400 rpm as [he] turned to the west." As the pilot slowed down, he added collective to reduce the rotor speed. The rotor rpm began to slow, at which point the pilot lowered the collective and applied forward cyclic to maintain forward airspeed. The rotor speed continued to decrease and the "low rotor speed warning horn" sounded. The pilot lowered the collective and flared, at which point the bags contacted the ground. The pilot then "noticed that the Nr was low" at approximately 320 rpm. The pilot "zeroed the airspeed, pumped the collective once[,] trying to slow the rate of decent and pulled up on the collective," just before impacting the ground. The helicopter settled onto the load beneath it, and subsequently rolled over on its right side causing substantial damage. An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,790 hours in all; 815 in this make and model; 59 in the last 90 days; 52 in the last 30 days; 6,590 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 22, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 4,988 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Aerial 1B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Crew Concepts INC
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Monticello UT at 6:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 5:45 pm from BDG, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.