# NTSB FTW83FA238: Aerospatiale AS-350D, N36062, Venice, LA, May 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1983, 10:56 local (15:56 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270137, -89.350242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2701&lon=-89.3502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA238

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - turboshaft engine,reduction gear box - fatigue (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - fuselage - vibration
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A SWAMP WITH LOW ROTOR RPM AFTER A FAILURE OF THE ACCESSORY GEARBOX POWER OUTPUT GEAR. THE PILOT RADIOED AN EMERGENCY CALL SAYING HE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERE VIBRATIONS AND WAS LANDING. A FEW SECONDS LATER, HE RADIOED THAT HE WAS CRASHING. RESCUE ACFT FOUND THE HELICOPTER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE PARTIALLY IN WATER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THEFAILED GEAR BOX RESULTED IN LOW ROTOR SPEED WHICH WAS NOT RECOVERED DUE TO LACK OF ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER TURBINE OUTPUT (PTO) GEAR, PN 4-081-044-15, FAILED FROM LOW STRESS, HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED AT A POINT WERE REHARDENING BURNS CAUSED BY GRINDING WERE PRESENT. THIS GRINDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED DURING MANUFACTURING OF THE GEAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN CARBURIZED. THE PROCEDURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED PRIOR TO CARBURIZATION WHEN THE MATERIAL SURFACE WAS MUCH SOFTER & LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO GRINDING BURNS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36062](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36062-1992-03-31), registration cancelled 1992-03-31, S/N 1237 (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: 1237
- Airframe hours: 2987
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WEST DELTA, GM
- Destination: 7R1, VENICE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,340 total, 1,469 in this make and model, 4,649 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW

## 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 19830518019909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830518019909A), May 18, 1983: Snias AS350D, Venice, LA, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed during forced landing attempt in a swamp near Venice, Louisiana. Gear failed PN408104415.

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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