# NTSB FTW81DA016: Aerospatial AS-350, N802DB, Cameron, LA (Atlantic Ocean), December 13, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 13, 1980
- Place: Cameron, LA (Atlantic Ocean) · CAMERON,LA, AO
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 27, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DA016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DA016

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3736  80/12/13 NR.CAMERON,LA         AEROSPATIAL AS-350  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 4817
        TIME - 0926                    N802DB              PX-  0  0  1  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 214 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CAMERON,LA                  HIGH ISLAND 571 RIG
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: FLOAT ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
                                  UNUSUAL NOISE
        REMARKS- LARGE HARDNESS DIFFERENCE FD BETWEEN MALE & FEMALE SPLINES.CAST ALUMINUM FLOAT BRCKT FAILED ON T/D
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N802DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N802DB-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 1153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIAL AS-350
- 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
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801213076229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801213076229A), Dec 13, 1980: Snias AS350D, Sabine Pass, LA, Substantial damage. Loud boom, lost RPM. Made autorotation water landing. Helicopter rolled over. Found worn transmission drive shaft.

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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