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NTSB Report
August 19, 1989 · Aerospatiale AS350D · N35970
Volcano, HI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1989
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (1 serious injury, 5 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Volcano, HI
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS350D
Tail Number
N35970
Operator
Papillon Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA281
THE VFR SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNER 14 CFR 135. WHILE DESCENDING INTO A MOUNTAINOUS AREA THE PILOT FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION ABT 10 - 15 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION IN THE UPWARD SLOPING TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED-OVER ON TOUCHDOWN. THE ENGINE EXAM DSCLSD THAT THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT AND THE NOS. 2 & 3 BEARINGS FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND DISPLAYED EXTREME HIGH TEMPERATURE DISTRESS. THE CHIP DETECTOR O-RING SEAL WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. OIL RESIDUE STREAKING WAS FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE/ TAILCONE ASSY AND THE VERTICAL/HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS.
NTSB Probable Cause
A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT AND BEARINGS. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF OIL STARVATION DUE TO AN EXCESSIVELY WORN CHIP DETECTOR O-RING SEAL,INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE VFR SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNER 14 CFR 135. WHILE DESCENDING INTO A MOUNTAINOUS AREA THE PILOT FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION ABT 10 - 15 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION IN THE UPWARD SLOPING TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED-OVER ON TOUCHDOWN. THE ENGINE EXAM DSCLSD THAT THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT AND THE NOS. 2 & 3 BEARINGS FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND DISPLAYED EXTREME HIGH TEMPERATURE DISTRESS. THE CHIP DETECTOR O-RING SEAL WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. OIL RESIDUE STREAKING WAS FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE/ TAILCONE ASSY AND THE VERTICAL/HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS350D
Tail NumberN35970
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPapillon Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101 · Turboshaft · 600
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (1 serious injury, 5 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor5
Uninjured1
Total7
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO