# NTSB FTW85FA300: S.N.I.A.S. AS350D Astar, N3607C, Houma, LA, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1985, 17:01 local (22:01 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789787, -90.819793 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7898&lon=-90.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA300

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT A MICROWAVE ANTENNA TOWER AND DID NOT SHUT DOWN THE ENG OR DEPLANE. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE TOWER RETRIEVEDCARGO FROM THE HELICOPTER (A SMALL BOX OF PARTS) AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE TOWER BUILDING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PLT APPARENTLY INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF IN A DIRECTION WHICH WOULD TAKE THE HELICPOTER UNDERNEATH ON OF THE TOWER GUY WIRES. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEPARATED ONE OF THE GUY WIRES. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS WERE ABOUT 30 FT AGL WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT HAD THE PLT COMPLETED THE ACCIDENT FLT HE WOULD HAVE ARRIVED HOME LATER THAN HE INTENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3607C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3607C-1988-11-30), registration cancelled 1988-11-30, S/N 1244 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: S.N.I.A.S. AS350D ASTAR (AS350D AST)
- Registry model: [S N I A S AS350D ASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as350d-astar) (registry code 8680803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1244
- Airframe hours: 4252
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 531 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 25, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: HOUMA, LA
- Destination: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,940 total, 1,407 in this make and model, 4,592 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM, 4 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 19850729040379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850729040379A), Jul 29, 1985: Snias AS350D, Houma, LA, Destroyed. Struck guy wire of tower on takeoff shortly after landing there. Rain on windshield plus rush to get home factors.

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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