# NTSB FTW88FA131: Aerospatiale SA330J, N47307, Gulf-Of-Mexico, July 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1988, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Gulf-Of-Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 14 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA131

## Probable cause

NONE SUBMITTED

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG LIFT-OFF FROM AN OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, THE HELICOPTER BGN A SLOW UNCOMMANDED LEFT TURN. THE PLT TRIED TO FLY IT BY LOWERING THE NOSE & INCREASING COLLECTIVE. AFTER 2 TURNS, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED & IMPACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT BANK, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AUTO-PLT WAS NOT DISCONNECTED, NOR WERE THE FLOATS INFLATED. NO PREIMPACT MECH FAILURE WAS FOUND. INTERVIEWS REVEALED THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT STABILIZED IN A HOVER BEFORE INITIATING A TAKEOFF. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS WRITE-UP WHICH STATED 'A/C REQUIRES MORE RIGHT PEDAL THAN USUAL IN HOVER AND FORWARD FLIGHT.' IN RESPONSETO THIS WRITE-UP, A MECHANIC HAD ADJUSTED A TUBE WHICH RAN REARWARD FROM THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE AUTO-PILOT SYSTEM. THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL DESCRIBED THIS TUBE AS BEING ONE OF THE 'SEMI-FIXED' RODS. REFERRING TO THESE RODS, THE MANUAL CAUTIONED, 'THEY ARE ADJUSTED ONCE FOR ALL WHEN THEY ARE FITTED TO THE AIRCRAFT. THEY MUST NOT BE ADJUSTED SUBSEQUENTLY.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47307](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47307-1991-12-13), registration cancelled 1991-12-13, S/N 1402 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA330J
- Registry model: [S N I A S SA330J](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-sa330j) (registry code 8680612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1402
- Airframe hours: 4727
- Engines: Turbomeca TURMO IVC 1495 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters
- Registered owner: Topspin Data Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 9, 1988, 5 hours before
- Destination: EUGENE ISLAND, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,687 total, 2,075 in this make and model, 8,044 as pilot in command, 204 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °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 19880714026579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880714026579A), Jul 14, 1988: Snias SA330J, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost tail rotor control on takeoff. Crashed in water. Not stabilized prior to forward flight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.