Aerospatiale SA315B accident near La Sal, Utah, May 23, 1990
On May 23, 1990 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Aerospatiale SA315B (helicopter), registered N402AH, was substantially damaged in an accident near La Sal, Utah. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPEED GOVERNOR UNIT DUE TO IMPROPER STORAGE AND/OR INSPECTION OF THE SPEED GOVERNOR UNIT PRIOR TO PLACING IT IN SERVICE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT CARRYING PASSENGERS ON THE EXTERNAL LOAD.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1990 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- La Sal, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA315B · all SA315Bs on the register
- Registration
- N402AH · no longer on the register · serial 2484
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING LONG LINE OPERATIONS CARRYING A LOAD OF EQUIPMENT PLUS TWO PASSENGERS ON THE LOAD. THE ENGINE DECELERATED TO IDLE NECESSITATING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO SETTLE UNTIL THE LOAD HIT THE GROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR HIS PASSENGERS. WHEN THE LOAD HIT THE GROUND HE JETTISONED AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO COMPLETE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. LOW ROTOR RPM PREVENTED A SUCCESSFUL LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED INTERNAL CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL GOVERNOR.
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; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 1,670 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 9,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,647 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 5, 1990; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,070 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca ARTOUSE 316B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Geo - Seis Helicopters, INC
The flight
- Departed from: DRO Durango CO at 6:50 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.