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July 19, 1982 · Aerospatiale AS-350D · N5771L
Gulf Of Mexico
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Gulf Of Mexico
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS-350D
Tail Number
N5771L
Operator
Petroleum Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW82DA285
DURING AN OVER WATER FLIGHT, THE ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE. ALL THREE ROTOR BLADES WERE FULL OF HOLES AND TEARS AND ONE BLADE HAD A PIECE OF THE ENGINE TAIL PIPE STUCK IN IT. THE FUSELAGE HAD SCHRAPNEL HOLES AND THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT WAS DISABLED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PTO GEAR, PN 4-081-120-08, IN THE ENGINE HAD FAILED.
Full Narrative
DURING AN OVER WATER FLIGHT, THE ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE. ALL THREE ROTOR BLADES WERE FULL OF HOLES AND TEARS AND ONE BLADE HAD A PIECE OF THE ENGINE TAIL PIPE STUCK IN IT. THE FUSELAGE HAD SCHRAPNEL HOLES AND THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT WAS DISABLED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PTO GEAR, PN 4-081-120-08, IN THE ENGINE HAD FAILED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS-350D
Tail NumberN5771L
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPetroleum Helicopter
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101 · Turboshaft · 675
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg