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NTSB Report
July 11, 1985 · Aerospatiale AS-350D · N3594N
Matagorda Islng, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Matagorda Islng, LA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS-350D
Tail Number
N3594N
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
FTW85FA282
THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD DURING AN ATTEMPTED AUTOROTATION TO AN ABANDONED AIR BASE. INITIAL TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED ON THE STINGER AND THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT OF RWY HEADING 30 TO 40 DEGREES. THE NEXT TOUCHDOWN WAS ON THE SKIDS AND THE ACFT YAWED FURTHER TO THE LEFT TO APRX 45 DEGREES. FOLLOWING THIS, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT COULD BE FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD DURING AN ATTEMPTED AUTOROTATION TO AN ABANDONED AIR BASE. INITIAL TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED ON THE STINGER AND THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT OF RWY HEADING 30 TO 40 DEGREES. THE NEXT TOUCHDOWN WAS ON THE SKIDS AND THE ACFT YAWED FURTHER TO THE LEFT TO APRX 45 DEGREES. FOLLOWING THIS, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT COULD BE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMatagorda Island (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS-350D
Tail NumberN3594N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS 101 600A · Turboshaft · 590
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC