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NTSB Report
October 29, 1984 · Aerospatiale SA-315-B · N49504
West Bay, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
West Bay, FL
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA-315-B
Tail Number
N49504
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85LA020
THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WHILE ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD AGRICULTURAL FLT. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT AT A LOADING AREA THE ACFT STARTED SPINNING, THE EXT LOAD WAS JETTISONED, AND THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PITCH CHANGE DRUM, PN 3160566-00-009-1, WAS WORN THROUGHOUT ITS INTERIOR ALUMINUM SPLINES. THE PITCH CONTROL DRUM HAD BEEN REMOVED ON AUG 9, 1984 AND THE ACFT MANUAL STATES THAT EACH TIME THE DRUM IS REMOVED IT IS TO BE VISUALLY CHECKED FOR WEAR. BETWEEN AUG 9 AND OCT 29 1984, THE ACFT WAS EXPOSED TO 236.9 HRS OF OPERATING TIME.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WHILE ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD AGRICULTURAL FLT. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT AT A LOADING AREA THE ACFT STARTED SPINNING, THE EXT LOAD WAS JETTISONED, AND THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PITCH CHANGE DRUM, PN 3160566-00-009-1, WAS WORN THROUGHOUT ITS INTERIOR ALUMINUM SPLINES. THE PITCH CONTROL DRUM HAD BEEN REMOVED ON AUG 9, 1984 AND THE ACFT MANUAL STATES THAT EACH TIME THE DRUM IS REMOVED IT IS TO BE VISUALLY CHECKED FOR WEAR. BETWEEN AUG 9 AND OCT 29 1984, THE ACFT WAS EXPOSED TO 236.9 HRS OF OPERATING TIME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA-315-B
Tail NumberN49504
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsArtouste · III B · Turboshaft · 562
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC