# Accident 20030306008599A: Snias AS350B2, Venice, LA, March 6, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 6, 2003, 07:00 local time
- Place: Venice, LA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.4333° N, 89.4594° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4333&lon=-89.4594&mi=10
- Aircraft: N945PT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N945PT-2009-07-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL (registry code 8680951, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2-ecureuil) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER (registry code 60030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNIAS AS350B2
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 16,000 total, 850 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA106) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030306008599A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT DEPARTED NEW FOR A FLIGHT TO AN OIL PLATFORM. OBTAINED A SPECIAL CLEARANCE DUE TO THE WEATHER BEING BELOW VMC. PROCEEDED VFR TOWARD THE PLATFORM. THE WEATHER VISIBILITY DETERIORATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BEGAN TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND DESCENT TO OBTAIN CONTACT WITH THE WATER. DURING THE LOW LEVEL TURN AND DESCENT IN VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FELT HIS TAIL ROTOR CONTACT THE WATER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW03LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA106), Mar 6, 2003: Eurocopter AS350B2 (N945PT), Venice, LA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control following a loss of tail rotor drive. A contributing factor was the fog.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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