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NTSB Report
December 16, 1982 · S N I A S AS350D · N801DB
Houston, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
S N I A S AS350D
Tail Number
N801DB
Operator
Panther Pacific Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FRA03
THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE CAME TO A HOVER TO LAND, AN ENGINE SURGE OCCURRED WHICH SENT THE HELICOPTER BACK INTO THE AIR. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE OFF AND ON, AND AS HELICOPTER CAME DOWN, IT WOULD IMPACT THE GROUND AND BOUNCE BACK IN THE AIR. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS THE FINAL SURGE OCCURRED, THE HELICOPTER SEEMED TO HIT, LEFT SKID LOW, AND ROLL OVER. THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN BURNING AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE CAME TO A HOVER TO LAND, AN ENGINE SURGE OCCURRED WHICH SENT THE HELICOPTER BACK INTO THE AIR. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE OFF AND ON, AND AS HELICOPTER CAME DOWN, IT WOULD IMPACT THE GROUND AND BOUNCE BACK IN THE AIR. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS THE FINAL SURGE OCCURRED, THE HELICOPTER SEEMED TO HIT, LEFT SKID LOW, AND ROLL OVER. THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN BURNING AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CST
Nearest AirportPowers Air Helistop (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftS N I A S AS350D
Tail NumberN801DB
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPanther Pacific Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101 · Turboshaft · 615
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0