# NTSB FTW84LA265: Aerospatiale AS 355 F Ecureuil, N5777J, Venice, LA, May 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1984, 15:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270776, -89.349365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2708&lon=-89.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED TO SECURE A SEAT BELT FLAPPING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE. THE AREA CHOSEN FOR LANDING WAS SOFT AND THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE INTO THE MUD. THE PLT INITIATED TAKEOFF AND WHEN THE ACFT FREED ITSELF FROM THE MUD IT STARTED SPINNING. THE PLT SAID HE LOWERED COLLECTIVE AND THE ACFT DESCENDED. UPON GROUND CONTACT IT ROLLED OVER. PLT RECOMMENDEDLANDING ON ONLY KNOWN GOOD SURFACE FOR PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5777J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5777J-1988-12-05), registration cancelled 1988-12-05, S/N 5050 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS 355 F ECUREUIL (AS 355 F E)
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355 F ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355-f-ecureuil) (registry code 8680806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5050
- Airframe hours: 1271
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20F 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Logistics Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 25, 1983, 113 hours before
- Departed: VENICE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,586 total, 164 in this make and model, 3,149 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19840530026409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840530026409A), May 30, 1984: Aerosp AS355F, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. Landed on a mud surface to check a seat belt outside door. Began to sink in mud. Tried to liftoff and rolled over.

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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