# NTSB DEN89FA202: Aerospatiale AS-350D, N132SH, Blanchard, ID, August 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 22:04 local (Aug 28, 1989, 05:04 UTC)
- Place: Blanchard, ID
- Coordinates: 48.040271, -116.960517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0403&lon=-116.9605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA202

## Probable cause

OVERHEATING AND SEIZURE OF THE SWASHPLATE BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE HELICOPTER AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - disturbance - intentional, passenger
  - rotorcraft flight control,swashplate assembly - overtemperature (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,swashplate assembly - seized (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE EMERG MED SVC (EMS/MEDEVAC) HELICOPTER WAS EN ROUTE WITH A PLT, 2 MED PSNL & A PATIENT. THE PATIENT (A FUGITIVE WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND) WAS HANDCUFFED TO THE STRETCHER. DRG FLT, THE PLT RPRTD A PROBLEM WITH THE PATIENT & REQUESTED POLICE ASSISTANCE DRG ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL. THE PLT THEN TRANSMITTED AN EXPLETIVE & RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH THE ACFT. WRECKAGE WAS FOUND OVER A 1 MI AREA WITH EVIDENCE OF AN IN-FLT BREAKUP & MAIN ROTOR CONTACT WITH THE COCKPIT & TAIL CONE. INV SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SWASHPLATE BRG SEIZURE. THE PITCH CHG LINK RODS & ROTATIONAL SCISSORS WERE BRKN IN THEDRCTN OF MAIN ROTOR ROTATION & CTC MARKS WERE FND ON THE FWD EARS OF THE ROTATING SWASHPLATE LUGS. DISASSEMBLY REVEALED FAILURE OF THE INNER & OUTER RACE LOCKS & SPALLING OF THE BRG RACES. LACK OF GREASE WAS NOTED IN THE BRG & THE BALL BRGSWERE DISCOLORED BLUE. WEAR MARKS ON THE BALL BRGS INDCD SCUFFING; 1 BALL BRG WAS FLUTED. THE BRG ASSEMBLY HAD ACCRUED 1.23 HRS OF OPN SINCE THE LAST 100 HR INSPN. LUBE REQUIRED EACH 400 HRS, COMPANY POLICY WAS TO LUBE AT 100 HR INTERVALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132SH-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 1335 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-350D
- Registry model: [S N I A S AS350D ASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as350d-astar) (registry code 8680803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1335
- Airframe hours: 3486
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 531 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Eagle Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: EASTPORT, ID
- Destination: 09WA, SPOKANE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF, 27 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 19890827032119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827032119A), Aug 27, 1989: Snias AS350D, Blanchard, ID, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control due complications of a seizing swash plate bearing and/or interference with unruly prisoner patient.

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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