Aerospatiale SA316B accident near Aspen, CO
On April 1, 1993, an Aerospatiale SA316B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Aspen, CO. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 1, 1993
- Place
- Aspen, CO
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA316B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.191°N, 106.820°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12110
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 1, 1993, at approximately 1615 mountain standard time, an Aerospatiale SA316B, N3153R, impacted terrain at 12,000 feet MSL in the Willow Creek Wilderness Area, approximately 15 miles south southwest of Aspen, Colorado. The pilot and two passengers received fatal injuries and one passenger received serious injuries. The helicopter was destroyed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135 to transport persons from a lodge in the vicinity of Crested Butte, Colorado, to Aspen when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was reported missing on the evening of April 1. On the morning of April 2nd, the survivor walked out to a ranch approximately 11 miles from the accident site. On April 4, the bodies of the fatally injured were recovered. Examination and recovery of the wreckage was delayed due to heavy snow cover at the accident site. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to available information, the pilot was an experienced mountain pilot, had flown in the accident site region on many previous flights. A review of FAA records did not indicate any abnormal operational history. Details of the pilot's flight experience may be found on page 3 of this document. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Accident site weather was reported by the survivor who was not aviation oriented, but was an experienced back country ski instructor. His observations are recorded on pages 3 and 4 of this document. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION According to information provided by the survivor, the flight had be
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL LOWER MIXING UNIT DUE TO FATIGUE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL.
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Browse: Colorado · Aerospatiale aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
