# NTSB FTW85LA111: Aerospatiale AS 355F-1, N5796A, Sabine Pass, TX, February 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1985, 08:53 local (14:53 UTC)
- Place: Sabine Pass, TX
- Coordinates: 29.730392, -93.889122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7304&lon=-93.8891&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): 21667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - anti-ice/deice system - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - ice
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE AT AN ALT OF 500 TO 700 FT, THE #1 ENG SPOOLED DOWN. THE PLT SECURED THE #1 ENG & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE HELIPORT TO MAKE A SINGLE ENG LANDING. HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE #2 ENG HAD HI TEMP (ABOVE 900 DEGS) & LOW TORQUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE INFLATED THE POPOUT FLOATS & MADE A PARTIAL POWER LANDING IN A MARSH. DUE TO LOW ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD & WAS DAMAGED. THE #1 ENG WAS REMOVED & CHECKED IN A TEST CELL & IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE #2 ENG WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, IT'S FUEL MANAGEMENT SYS CHECKED NORMAL. THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN IN RAIN SHOWERS WITHOUT USING THE ENG ANTI-ICE. OPERATOR PERSONNEL SUSPECTED THAT INLET ICING CAUSED THE #1 ENG TO FLAME OUT & THE #2 ENG TO LOSE PARTIAL POWER. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE SURFACE AIR TEMP WAS 33 DEGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5796A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5796A-1988-11-30), registration cancelled 1988-11-30, S/N 5156 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS 355F-1
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355F1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355f1) (registry code 8680810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5156
- Airframe hours: 3158
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,554 total, 496 in this make and model, 2,523 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °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 19850204059109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850204059109A), Feb 4, 1985: Aerosp AS355F1, Sabine Pass, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on one engine followed by drop of rotor RPM and overtemp on other. Hard landing. Engine air inlet icing.

## Other investigations on N5796A (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW83IA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83IA279), Jun 12, 1983: Aerospatiale AS 355 F (N5796A), High Island 582, incident, no damage

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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