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February 4, 1985 · Aerospatiale AS 355F-1 · N5796A
Sabine Pass, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sabine Pass, TX
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS 355F-1
Tail Number
N5796A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA111
WHILE EN ROUTE AT AN ALT OF 500 TO 700 FT, THE #1 ENG SPOOLED DOWN. THE PLT SECURED THE #1 ENG & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE HELIPORT TO MAKE A SINGLE ENG LANDING. HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE #2 ENG HAD HI TEMP (ABOVE 900 DEGS) & LOW TORQUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE INFLATED THE POPOUT FLOATS & MADE A PARTIAL POWER LANDING IN A MARSH. DUE TO LOW ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD & WAS DAMAGED. THE #1 ENG WAS REMOVED & CHECKED IN A TEST CELL & IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE #2 ENG WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, IT'S FUEL MANAGEMENT SYS CHECKED NORMAL. THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN IN RAIN SHOWERS WITHOUT USING THE ENG ANTI-ICE. OPERATOR PERSONNEL SUSPECTED THAT INLET ICING CAUSED THE #1 ENG TO FLAME OUT & THE #2 ENG TO LOSE PARTIAL POWER. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE SURFACE AIR TEMP WAS 33 DEGS.
Full Narrative
WHILE EN ROUTE AT AN ALT OF 500 TO 700 FT, THE #1 ENG SPOOLED DOWN. THE PLT SECURED THE #1 ENG & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE HELIPORT TO MAKE A SINGLE ENG LANDING. HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE #2 ENG HAD HI TEMP (ABOVE 900 DEGS) & LOW TORQUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE INFLATED THE POPOUT FLOATS & MADE A PARTIAL POWER LANDING IN A MARSH. DUE TO LOW ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD & WAS DAMAGED. THE #1 ENG WAS REMOVED & CHECKED IN A TEST CELL & IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE #2 ENG WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, IT'S FUEL MANAGEMENT SYS CHECKED NORMAL. THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN IN RAIN SHOWERS WITHOUT USING THE ENG ANTI-ICE. OPERATOR PERSONNEL SUSPECTED THAT INLET ICING CAUSED THE #1 ENG TO FLAME OUT & THE #2 ENG TO LOSE PARTIAL POWER. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE SURFACE AIR TEMP WAS 33 DEGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:53 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS 355F-1
Tail NumberN5796A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20F · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 13 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT