# NTSB FTW86LRA06: Aerospatiale AS-350D, N3599X, Freeport, TX, January 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1986, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, TX
- Coordinates: 28.950937, -95.360961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9509&lon=-95.3610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRA06

## 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, maneuvering
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON A MAINTENANCE TEST FLT THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE. AN AUTOROTATION WAS ENTERED AND A HARD LANDING OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN A ROLL OVER. THE FLT ORIGINATED AT OYSTER CREEK HELIPORT AND RETURNED TWICE FOR MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENTS AND WAS TURNING FOR HOME A THIRD TIME WHEN THE ENG FAILED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT A GAS PRODUCER TURBINE WHEEL BLADE HAD SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3599X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3599X-1988-12-16), registration cancelled 1988-12-16, S/N 1191 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-350D
- 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: 1191
- Airframe hours: 5130
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS101-600A2 590 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 6, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: FREEPORT, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,499 total, 112 in this make and model, 4,751 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °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 19860124001249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860124001249A), Jan 24, 1986: Snias AS350D, Freeport, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit because a blade of the gas producer turbine wheel failed. A hard landing ensued causing a rollover.

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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