Aerospatiale SA315-D LAMA accident near Siletz, Oregon, May 13, 1987
On May 13, 1987 at about 1:20 pm local time, a Aerospatiale SA315-D LAMA (helicopter), registered N47256, was destroyed in an accident near Siletz, Oregon. 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 1987 · about 1:20 pm local time
- Place
- Siletz, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA315-D LAMA SA315-D LA · all SA315-D LAMAs on the register
- Registration
- N47256 · no longer on the register · serial 2433
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS THE CHOCKERS BECAME LOOSE DUE TO IMPROPER LOADING. THE EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILROTOR CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. THE HELICOPTER ASSUMED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SPUN TO THE LEFT, IMPACTING TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT SKID, AND THEN ROLLING OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS LOCATED 100 YARDS FROM THE IMPACT AREA.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,896 hours in all; 1,666 in this make and model; 122 in the last 90 days; 7,875 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,186 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 9, 1987; 94 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,300 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Artouste Iiib T-MECA (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Newport OR at 1:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 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.
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.