Aerospatiale SA315B accident near Duchesne, Utah, September 2, 2005
On September 2, 2005 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Aerospatiale SA315B (helicopter), registered N220SH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Duchesne, Utah (Duchesne Muninipal Airport). It was an external-load 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 loss of control during external load operations for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2005 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Duchesne, Utah · Duchesne Muninipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA315B · all SA315Bs on the register
- Registration
- N220SH · no longer on the register · serial 2466
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a helicopter external load operation, the pilot was attempting to lift a 1,500 pound drill rig that was attached to the end of a 75-foot long line at a terrain elevation of approximately 7,000 feet msl. As the drill was being lifted off the ground, the helicopter "suddenly [and] violently accelerated (pitched) down [and] left." The pilot attempted to correct the uncommanded movement by applying right aft cyclic; however, the helicopter began a "rapid spin to the left." A ground witness observed the helicopter complete 3 or 4, 360-degree rotations. The pilot then closed the throttle to the flight idle position, and the left rotation stopped. The helicopter entered a descent toward the terrain with approximately 10 knots of forward airspeed. Approximately 30-40 feel above ground level (agl), the pilot pulled the "remaining" collective to slow the descent and rotor RPM. The helicopter's main rotor blades contacted trees, and subsequently the helicopter came to rest on its right side. During the accident sequence, the pilot did not jettison the external load. The pilot reported the wind conditions as "calm" and the temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the accident. Examination of the airframe, systems, and a functional test of the engine revealed no anomalies. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,500 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 230 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 14,300 as pilot in command; 1,200 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 19,658 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, August 1, 2005; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Artouste III (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Duschene UT at 6:00 pm
- Destination: Duschene UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number DEN05LA131.