- Date
- May 7, 1989, 14:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place
- W Cameron Blk
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N2785BMBB BO-105S
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 9, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19890507010829A
- Case key
- 22771
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The partial electrical failure of the micro-switch for the outboard lateral guide assembly, and the incorrect guard installed on the hydraulic test switch, resulting in a total hydraulic failure. Factors were: the incorrect installation of the guard by an unknown person, the failure of the company to comply with the specified service bulletin.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The twin engine helicopter was in cruise flight over the gulf of Mexico, when it suddenly pitched nose down and descended uncontrolled to impact inverted into the water. It sank to a depth of approximately 380 feet. After recovery of the helicopter, examination revealed that an incorrect hydraulic switch guard held the test switch in the reset position, electrically isolating hydraulic system number two from operation, and that the hydraulic module was in the number 1 system. Further inspection and testing found a defective micro-switch in the outboard lateral guide assembly of the hydraulic module. Additionally, the operator had not complied with a required service bulletin for the module.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2785B
- Reported as
- MBB BO-105S
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 636
- Airframe hours
- 1,781
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20B, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Air Logistics
- Registered owner
- Mcdonnell Douglas Finance Corp
- Last inspection
- AAIP · May 6, 1989 · 3 hours before
- Departed
- NONE · Hi-A330, GM
- Destination
- NONE · Wc-643, GM
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
- Airport
- NONE
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 7,459 total · 2,397 in this make and model · 6,526 as pilot in command · 168 in the last 90 days · 43 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °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.
Other investigations on N2785B · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.