LIMA, MT, USA
N8624
AEROSPATIALE SA316B
APRX 35 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE SEISMIC OPERATIONS BEING CONDUCTED ABOUT 10 MI NE WERE SECURED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND HIGH WINDS. THE PLT ESTIMATED WIND TO HAVE BEEN FROM 180 DEG AT 40 KTS GUSTING TO 60. AS THE PLT APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE DOWNWIND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE PLT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN INTO THE WIND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT AT APRX 75 FT AGL HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. NEARING THE GROUND HE PULLED ALL AVAILABLE COLLECTIVE PITCH BUT COULD NOT CONTROL THE SINK RATE. ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE TAIL SPUN 20 TO 30 DEG TO THE LEFT AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ONTO IT'S RIGHT SIDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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