# NTSB FTW83FRA03: S.N.I.A.S. AS350D, N801DB, Houston, TX, December 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1982, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fuel system,fuel control - erratic (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE CAME TO A HOVER TO LAND, AN ENGINE SURGE OCCURRED WHICH SENT THE HELICOPTER BACK INTO THE AIR. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE OFF AND ON, AND AS HELICOPTER CAME DOWN, IT WOULD IMPACT THE GROUND AND BOUNCE BACK IN THE AIR. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS THE FINAL SURGE OCCURRED, THE HELICOPTER SEEMED TO HIT, LEFT SKID LOW, AND ROLL OVER. THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN BURNING AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N801DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N801DB-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 1195, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: S.N.I.A.S. 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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 600A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-600a-series) (registry code 41562, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1195
- Airframe hours: 1859
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Panther Pacific Helicopters
- Registered owner: Panther Pacific Helicopters
- Departed: BPT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Destination: HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 7, Powers Air Helistop

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,100 total, 23 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19821216064359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821216064359A), Dec 16, 1982: Snias AS350D, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Helicopter lurched forward on touchdown, jerked laterally. Ascended to 45 feet and fell to the ground.

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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