# NTSB FTW81FA085: Aerospatial AS350D, N143BH, Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico), May 4, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 4, 1981
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) · GULF OF MEXICO, GM
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA085
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA085

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1183   81/5/4    GULF OF MEXICO      AEROSPATIAL AS350D  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1315                    N143BH              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO            31, 4761 TOTAL HOURS, 516
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BEAUMONT,TX                 GULF OF MEXICO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           ROTORCRAFT - MISCELLANEOUS UNITS AND ASSEMBLIES: EMERGENCY FLOTATION GEAR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
                                  AIRFRAME BUFFET
        REMARKS- TAIL ROTOR PITCH HORN,PN 350A-12-1368,FAILED FM FATIGUE.EMERG FLOAT BRACKETS FAILED DRG WTR LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143BH-1991-03-20), registration cancelled 1991-03-20, S/N 1203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIAL AS350D
- 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 19810504022159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810504022159A), May 4, 1981: Snias AS350D, Gulf Of Mexico, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot experienced vibration in helicopter. Crashed during emergency landing in Gulf Of Mexico.

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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