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NTSB Report
July 21, 1990 · Aerospatiale AS-350D · N3598F
Berwick, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Berwick, LA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS-350D
Tail Number
N3598F
Operator
Petroleum Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA143
DURING POSITIONING WITHIN A LANDING ZONE THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TELEPHONE LINES WHILE HOVERING AT ABOUT THREE FEET. THE PILOT SAW THE LINES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IMPACT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE LINES WHICH THEN BECAME ENTANGLED WITH ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE BLADE SUBSEQUENTLY SEPARATED AND THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND A PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LANDED HARD. THE LANDING ZONE WAS NOT ONE NORMALLY SERVICED BY THE OPERATOR AND THE PILOT HAD NEVER LANDED THERE BEFORE.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTACLES IN THE LANDING ZONE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE LANDING ZONE.
Full Narrative
DURING POSITIONING WITHIN A LANDING ZONE THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TELEPHONE LINES WHILE HOVERING AT ABOUT THREE FEET. THE PILOT SAW THE LINES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IMPACT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE LINES WHICH THEN BECAME ENTANGLED WITH ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE BLADE SUBSEQUENTLY SEPARATED AND THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND A PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LANDED HARD. THE LANDING ZONE WAS NOT ONE NORMALLY SERVICED BY THE OPERATOR AND THE PILOT HAD NEVER LANDED THERE BEFORE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS-350D
Tail NumberN3598F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPetroleum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS101-600A · Turboshaft · 590
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO