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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 19, 1984 · Aerospatiale AS-350D · N5784M

Island Beach, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Island Beach, NJ
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS-350D
Tail Number
N5784M
Operator
Raco Helciopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA214

THE ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FLT DEPARTED FOR GARDEN CITY WITH ONE PAX. THE REPORTED WEATHER AT THE APRX TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED LOW CLOUDS, THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY INCLUDING RAIN AND LIGHTING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 60 TO 80 FEET ABOVE THE WATER. THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY ON THE BEACH. THE FLT HAD DELAYED ITS DEPARTUE FROM BADER AFTER A LATE SPECIAL FLT TO ACCOMIDATE ITS PAX. AT THE REQUEST OF THE PAX THE CREW DELAYED THEIR FINAL DEPARTURE OF THE FLT. LATER IN THE TERMINAL THIS DECISION WAS CHANGED AFTER THE CREW CHECKED THE WX. THE CREW PREVAILED UPON THE PAX TO ALLOW AN IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE DUE TO DETERIORATING WX. SHORTLY AFTER THEIR DEPARTURE A PHONE CALL FROM RACO WAS RECEIVED BY THE BADER DISPATCHER INQUIRING ABOUT THE FLT AND ADVISING THEM TO CANCEL DEPARTURE BECAUSE OF THE WX. THIS CALL REPORTEDLY CAME IN BET 0200-0230. WITNESS STATEMENTS VARYON TIMES CONCERNING THE FLT.

Full Narrative

THE ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FLT DEPARTED FOR GARDEN CITY WITH ONE PAX. THE REPORTED WEATHER AT THE APRX TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INDICATED LOW CLOUDS, THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY INCLUDING RAIN AND LIGHTING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 60 TO 80 FEET ABOVE THE WATER. THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY ON THE BEACH. THE FLT HAD DELAYED ITS DEPARTUE FROM BADER AFTER A LATE SPECIAL FLT TO ACCOMIDATE ITS PAX. AT THE REQUEST OF THE PAX THE CREW DELAYED THEIR FINAL DEPARTURE OF THE FLT. LATER IN THE TERMINAL THIS DECISION WAS CHANGED AFTER THE CREW CHECKED THE WX. THE CREW PREVAILED UPON THE PAX TO ALLOW AN IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE DUE TO DETERIORATING WX. SHORTLY AFTER THEIR DEPARTURE A PHONE CALL FROM RACO WAS RECEIVED BY THE BADER DISPATCHER INQUIRING ABOUT THE FLT AND ADVISING THEM TO CANCEL DEPARTURE BECAUSE OF THE WX. THIS CALL REPORTEDLY CAME IN BET 0200-0230. WITNESS STATEMENTS VARYON TIMES CONCERNING THE FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS-350D
Tail NumberN5784M
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRaco Helciopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-600A2 · Turboshaft · 459
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data