# NTSB FTW84LA314: Aerospatiale AS-355F, N240US, El Paso, TX, July 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1984, 19:23 local (Jul 20, 1984, 01:23 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.799154, -106.359542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7992&lon=-106.3595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA314

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - cyclic - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS DURING LANDING. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE ASPHALT RAMP SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW AND BOUNCED 2-3 FT INTO THE AIR. THE NOSE DIPPED MORE AND FULL AFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE GROUND AND THE ACFT YAWED AND ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED TURBULENCE AND AS HE TURNED TOWARD THE RAMP TO LAND THE ACFT BEGAN A RAPID DESCENT FROM 50 FT AGL. A LITTLE COLLECTIVE WAS ADDED BUT THE ACFT DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT TURNED FAST INTO THE WIND AND ADDED FULL UP COLLECTIVE. THE DESCENT CONTINUED TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N240US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N240US-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 5121, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355F
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355 F ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355-f-ecureuil) (registry code 8680806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5121
- Airframe hours: 362
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Logistics Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: PEQ, PECOS, TX
- Airport: El Paso International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,463 total, 13 in this make and model, 7,427 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP

## 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 19840719036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840719036519A), Jul 19, 1984: Aerosp AS355F, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control during aerial taxi for landing. Was unable to check descent. Thunderstorm overhead and servere gusts.

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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