# NTSB FTW88LA075: Aerospatiale AS-355-F1, N5800F, Grand Prairie, TX, January 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1988, 15:38 local (21:38 UTC)
- Place: Grand Prairie, TX
- Coordinates: 32.73069, -96.999092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7307&lon=-96.9991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - aborted
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACDT OCCURRED ON THE 2ND FLT OF TRANSITION TRNG FOR AN EXPERIENCED HELICOPTER PLT. THE TRNG ON THIS FLT INCLUDED SIM TAIL ROTOR FAILURE RUN-ON LANDINGS. THE CFI DEMONSTRATED 2 LANDINGS AND THE TRAINEE TOOK THE CONTROLS FOR THE 3RD. THE LANDINGS WERE BEING MADE IN THE GRASS BESIDE A PAVED RWY. DURING THE LANDING SLIDE THE FRONT OF THE SKIDS DUG IN AND THE HELICOPTER PITCHED FORWARD. THE TRAINEE PULLED UP ON THE COLLECTIVE AND AFT ON THE CYCLIC WHEREUPON THE HELICOPTER ROCKED BACKWARDS AND THE TAIL STRUCK THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE; HOWEVER, THE CFI DETECTED VIBRATION AND UNUSUAL NOISE AND ANNOUNCED 'TAIL ROTOR FAILURE'. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS COMPLETED WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5800F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355-F1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5191
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Era Helicopters
- Registered owner: Era Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F67
- Destination: F67
- Airport: F67, Grand Prairie

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW, 10 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 19880120018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880120018769A), Jan 20, 1988: Aerosp AS355F1, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. Skids dug in on practice, tail rotor out run on landing after tail rotor strike. Student had over controlled.

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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