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January 17, 1985 · Aerospatiale SA 360C · N42CP

Washington, DC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Washington, DC
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA 360C
Tail Number
N42CP
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85FA013

THE FLT CREW RPRTD THE ENG LOST PWR WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 100' WITH A FWD SPEED OF 50 KTS. WITNESSES OBSERVED FAINT GRAY/WHITE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE VICINITY OF THE TAILPIPE SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF WHICH TRAILED & BECAME PROFUSEIMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DSCNDG. SUBSEQUENTLY THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND IN A LEVEL, RGT YAW ATTITUDE. THE RGT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & FOLDED UNDER THE BELLY, THE FUEL CELLS RUPTURED & THE TAIL CONE SEPARATED FROM THE CABIN. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A MIXTURE OF FUEL & OIL HAD VENTED OVERBOARD THRU THE FLEXIBOX SEAL DRAIN LINE. ALTHO THE ACFT HAD RECENTLY BEEN WASHED, A HVY FUEL STAIN WAS NOTED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HELICOPTER FROM THE GANG DRAIN TO THE FENESTRON. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT FUEL & OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE JET HOLDER WHICH TRANSFERRED FUEL FROM A LINEAR LINE TO A ROTATING LINE. HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THE FUEL (FLEXIBOX) & OIL (SEALOL) SEALS SHOWED NO IRREGULARITIES. THE CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DURING BENCH TESTING.

Full Narrative

THE FLT CREW RPRTD THE ENG LOST PWR WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 100' WITH A FWD SPEED OF 50 KTS. WITNESSES OBSERVED FAINT GRAY/WHITE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE VICINITY OF THE TAILPIPE SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF WHICH TRAILED & BECAME PROFUSEIMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DSCNDG. SUBSEQUENTLY THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND IN A LEVEL, RGT YAW ATTITUDE. THE RGT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & FOLDED UNDER THE BELLY, THE FUEL CELLS RUPTURED & THE TAIL CONE SEPARATED FROM THE CABIN. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A MIXTURE OF FUEL & OIL HAD VENTED OVERBOARD THRU THE FLEXIBOX SEAL DRAIN LINE. ALTHO THE ACFT HAD RECENTLY BEEN WASHED, A HVY FUEL STAIN WAS NOTED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HELICOPTER FROM THE GANG DRAIN TO THE FENESTRON. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT FUEL & OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE JET HOLDER WHICH TRANSFERRED FUEL FROM A LINEAR LINE TO A ROTATING LINE. HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THE FUEL (FLEXIBOX) & OIL (SEALOL) SEALS SHOWED NO IRREGULARITIES. THE CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DURING BENCH TESTING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:16 EST
Nearest AirportNATIONAL (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA 360C
Tail NumberN42CP
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ASTAZOU XVIII · Turboshaft · 871
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 4 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data