# NTSB FTW84LA213: Aerospatiale AS 315B, N3835W, Hartshorn, OK, April 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1984, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Hartshorn, OK
- Coordinates: 34.830581, -95.549545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8306&lon=-95.5495&mi=10
- 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): 21320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA213

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - compressor assembly,blade retention - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - compressor assembly,blade retention - failure,partial (cause)
- Fire/explosion, cruise - normal
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - proper glidepath - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - adequate rotor rpm - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING FOLLOWING AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 1000 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD SCREECH FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG. A WINGMAN OBSERVED 10 FT FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE EXHAUST. A HARD AUTOROTATIVE LANDING RESULTED WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO A MORE SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THE PLT THEN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING AN ONBOARD EXTINGUISHER. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR SECTION TRACED THE COMPRESSOR BLADE FAILURE TO AN IMPROPER RETAINING PIN WHICH CAUSED A STRESS CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPRESSOR BLADE ROOT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PIN WAS INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3835W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS 315B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2544
- Airframe hours: 1111
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSTEIII-B 562 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hosking Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MLC, MCALESTER, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,920 total, 2,515 in this make and model, 6,735 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLC, 5 nm away

## 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 19840427060509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840427060509A), Apr 27, 1984: Aerosp SA315B, Hartshorne, OK, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency autorotation. Axial compressor blade separated caused by improper retaining pin.

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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