# NTSB FTW83IA279: Aerospatiale AS 355 F, N5796A, High Island 582, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: High Island 582
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83IA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83IA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - cracked (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT DEVELOPED A SEVERE VERTICAL VIBRATION AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FATIGUE CRACKS WERE FOUND WHICH ORIGINATED IN A CORROSION PIT LOCATED IN AN AREA OF CHIPPED PAINT WHICH HAD BEEN COVERED WITH A COAT OF PRIMER CONTRARY TO AEROSPATIALE SERVICE BULLETINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5796A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5796A-1988-11-30), registration cancelled 1988-11-30, S/N 5156 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS 355 F
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355F1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355f1) (registry code 8680810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 515G
- Airframe hours: 835
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Retroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: HIGH ISLAND 264, GM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,133 total, 381 in this make and model, 5,915 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19830612074399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612074399I), Jun 12, 1983: Aerosp AS355F, Gulf Of Mexico, LA. Severe vertical vibration. Made precautionary landing. Found cracks in main rotor mast. Area had been repainted.

## Other investigations on N5796A (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW85LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA111), Feb 4, 1985: Aerospatiale AS 355F-1 (N5796A), Sabine Pass, TX, substantial damage

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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