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NTSB Report
July 29, 1985 · S N I A S AS350D Astar AS350D AST · N3607C
Houma, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Houma, LA
Aircraft
S N I A S AS350D Astar AS350D AST
Tail Number
N3607C
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA300
THE PLT LANDED AT A MICROWAVE ANTENNA TOWER AND DID NOT SHUT DOWN THE ENG OR DEPLANE. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE TOWER RETRIEVEDCARGO FROM THE HELICOPTER (A SMALL BOX OF PARTS) AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE TOWER BUILDING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PLT APPARENTLY INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF IN A DIRECTION WHICH WOULD TAKE THE HELICPOTER UNDERNEATH ON OF THE TOWER GUY WIRES. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEPARATED ONE OF THE GUY WIRES. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS WERE ABOUT 30 FT AGL WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT HAD THE PLT COMPLETED THE ACCIDENT FLT HE WOULD HAVE ARRIVED HOME LATER THAN HE INTENDED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT LANDED AT A MICROWAVE ANTENNA TOWER AND DID NOT SHUT DOWN THE ENG OR DEPLANE. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE TOWER RETRIEVEDCARGO FROM THE HELICOPTER (A SMALL BOX OF PARTS) AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE TOWER BUILDING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PLT APPARENTLY INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF IN A DIRECTION WHICH WOULD TAKE THE HELICPOTER UNDERNEATH ON OF THE TOWER GUY WIRES. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEPARATED ONE OF THE GUY WIRES. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS WERE ABOUT 30 FT AGL WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT HAD THE PLT COMPLETED THE ACCIDENT FLT HE WOULD HAVE ARRIVED HOME LATER THAN HE INTENDED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:01 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftS N I A S AS350D Astar AS350D AST
Tail NumberN3607C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-600A2 · Turboshaft · 531
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:48
Weather SourcePILO