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NTSB Report
July 4, 1987 · Aerospatiale AS-355-F1 · N5796M
Venice, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Venice, LA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS-355-F1
Tail Number
N5796M
Operator
Petroleum Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA156
ONE OF THE MECHANICS WHO PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT MAIN ROTOR HEAD STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE THAT HE INSTALLED THE RETAINING BOLTS WHICH SECURED THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY TO THE AIRCRAFT. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ASSEMBLY INDICATED THAT THE RETAINING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED AT IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SUGGESTS THAT THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND CONTACTED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM RESULTING IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN (WATER). WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER COME APART IN FLIGHT AFTER HEARING A LOUD 'BOOM'.
Full Narrative
ONE OF THE MECHANICS WHO PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT MAIN ROTOR HEAD STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE THAT HE INSTALLED THE RETAINING BOLTS WHICH SECURED THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY TO THE AIRCRAFT. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ASSEMBLY INDICATED THAT THE RETAINING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED AT IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SUGGESTS THAT THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND CONTACTED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM RESULTING IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN (WATER). WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER COME APART IN FLIGHT AFTER HEARING A LOUD 'BOOM'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS-355-F1
Tail NumberN5796M
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPetroleum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20F · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1700 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:09
Weather SourceWIT