# NTSB ATL85FA234: Aerospatiale AS-355F, N299FE, Chamblee, GA, August 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 01:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Chamblee, GA
- Coordinates: 33.900173, -84.299316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9002&lon=-84.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 6 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA234

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - disconnected (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT & PASSENGERS HAD GONE TO A LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT, WHERE THE ENTIRE PARTY HAD CONSUMED AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. ONE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT AFTER ARRIVING AT THE ARPT, THE PLT MADE A WALK-AROUND INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER, & BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE PERFORMED AN ENG RUN-UP. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED, THE LEFT CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED & THE PLT PROCEEDED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE RIGHT CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED, THEN BOTH ENGS LOST POWER. THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT WHILE AVOIDING POWER LINES, AVAILABLE LIFT WAS EXPENDED & THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS BACK INJURIES DURING THE LANDING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE THE HANGER FOR CONTINUING REPAIRS & THE OIL SUPPLY LINES TO THE SENSORS HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, OIL WAS LOST THRU THE DISCONNECTED LINES & BOTH ENGS HAD FAILED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.04%

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N299FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N299FE-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 5152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355F
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355 F ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355-f-ecureuil) (registry code 8680806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5152
- Airframe hours: 870
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C2OF 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Metro Ambulance Service,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,900 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,720 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850804036039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804036039A), Aug 4, 1985: Aerosp AS355F, Chamblee, GA, Destroyed. Chip detectors came on after takeoff. Autorotative hard landing. Maintenance had disconnected torque sensors.

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.

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