# NTSB FTW84LA026: Aerospatiale AS-355E, N813DB, Corpus Christi, TX, October 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1983, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Corpus Christi, TX
- Coordinates: 27.659606, -97.480094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6596&lon=-97.4801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - run on landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING ANTI-TORQUE FAILURE TRAINING DURING A RUN-ON LANDING AT 30-35 MPH. WHEN FORWARD CYCLIC WAS APPLIED TO CORRECT THE NOSE UP ATTITUDE, THE REAR SKID TOUCHED DOWN CAUSING THE NOSE TO GO LOW. AFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED, ALLOWING THE TAIL BOOM TO CONTACT THE GROUND WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF T/R CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER THEN SPUN AROUND TO THELEFT BEFORE SETTLING ON THE SKIDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N813DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5096
- Airframe hours: 157
- Engines: ALLISON C250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Superior Helicopters
- Registered owner: Panther Pacific Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1983, 57 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KCRP, Corpus Christi

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,400 total, 12 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19831018074749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831018074749A), Oct 18, 1983: Aerosp AS355E, Corpus Christi, TX, Substantial damage. Over controlled cylic on practice tail rotor failure run on landing. Tail rotor hit ground. Was chopped off.

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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