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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 23, 1990 · Aerospatiale AS355F-1 · N5791N

High Island Ao6

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 23, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
High Island Ao6
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS355F-1
Tail Number
N5791N
Operator
Petroleum Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90LA060

THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY FROM AN OFFSHORE LOCATION TO A COMPANY ONSHORE BASE. THE WEATHER WAS IMC ALONG THE ENTIRE TEXAS COAST, WITH FOG REPORTED BOTH ON AND OFFSHORE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE PILOT ELECTED TO CHANGE DESTINATIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET ONSHORE. THE LAST COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PILOT INDICATED THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES OFFSHORE FROM ITS DESTINATION. THE PILOT AND THE HELICOPTER WERE NOT RECOVERED. SEVERAL PARTS FROM THE HELICOPTER WERE RECOVERED AND IDENTIFIED. THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED FOR BASIC VFR FLIGHT ONLY AND THE PILOT LACKED RECENT INSTRUMENT TIME.

NTSB Probable Cause

UNDETERMINED DUE TO THE LACK OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY FROM AN OFFSHORE LOCATION TO A COMPANY ONSHORE BASE. THE WEATHER WAS IMC ALONG THE ENTIRE TEXAS COAST, WITH FOG REPORTED BOTH ON AND OFFSHORE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE PILOT ELECTED TO CHANGE DESTINATIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET ONSHORE. THE LAST COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PILOT INDICATED THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES OFFSHORE FROM ITS DESTINATION. THE PILOT AND THE HELICOPTER WERE NOT RECOVERED. SEVERAL PARTS FROM THE HELICOPTER WERE RECOVERED AND IDENTIFIED. THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED FOR BASIC VFR FLIGHT ONLY AND THE PILOT LACKED RECENT INSTRUMENT TIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:35 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS355F-1
Tail NumberN5791N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPetroleum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20F · Turboshaft · 420
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data