# NTSB FTW90LA003: Aerospatiale 350D, N3606Y, New Iberia, LA, October 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: New Iberia, LA
- Location: 30.0378° N, 91.8839° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ACADIANA RGNL (ARA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0378&lon=-91.8839&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA003

## Probable cause

THE SECOND PILOT'S (UNDER INSTRUCTION) MISJUDGEMENT OF AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE DURING THE LEVEL OFF PHASE OF THE AUTOROTATION

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, copilot/second pilot
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - level off - misjudged, copilot/second pilot (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE RECURRENT TRAINING FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ANNOUNCED A FORCED LANDING AND REDUCED THE FUEL CONTROL LEVER TO FLIGHT IDLE. THE SECOND PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION AND EXECUTED THE MANEUVER IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER UNTIL TOUCHDOWN. THE SECOND PILOT FAILED TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE TOUCHDOWN ON THE SOD, RESULTING IN THE REAR SKIDS CONTACTING THE GROUND FIRMLY. THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM FLEXED REARWARD AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3606Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3606Y-1990-02-02), registration cancelled 1990-02-02, S/N 1236 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE 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: 1236
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS101-600A2 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ARA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: ARA, Acadiana Regional, runway 34, 8,002 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,382 total, 275 in this make and model, 4,433 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARA, 1 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 19891004040769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891004040769A), Oct 4, 1989: Snias AS350D, New Iberia, LA, Substantial damage. Student made hard autorotation landing. Main rotor chopped off tailboom. Touched on rear of skids, rocked forward.

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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