# NTSB FTW90LA044: Aerospatiale AS-350B, N249HS, Grand Prairie, TX, December 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1989, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Prairie, TX
- Location: 32.7460° N, 96.9978° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Prairie, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7460&lon=-96.9978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA044

## Probable cause

MANUFACTURER'S FAILURE TO PROPERTY INSTALL THE LEFT SIDE COMPONENTS OF THE DUAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOLLOWING ITS REMOVAL FOR ADDITIONAL COMPLETION WORK PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF QUALITY CONTROL PERSONNEL TO DETECT THE OVERSIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

INITIAL LIFTOFF AND HOVER WERE NORMAL, HOWEVER, AS THE PILOT, WHO WAS FLYING FROM THE LEFT SEAT, WAS PREPARING TO TAKEOFF, HIS CYCLIC DISCONNECTED AND CAME OUT OF THE FLOOR MOUNT. THE PILOT YELLED TO THE RATED PASSENGER TO TAKE THE CYCLIC AND HE LOWERED COLLECTIVE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH THE PEDALS. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE, SEVERING THE TAILBOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE 'PIP' PIN WHICH NORMALLY SECURED THE CYCLIC TO THE CONTROL MOUNT WAS MISSING AND NOT FOUND. EXAMINATION OF THE COMPONENTS DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF WORKING, ELONGATION, OR DAMAGE IN THE HOLES WHERE THE PIN WOULD HAVE NORMALLY BEEN INSTALLED. AUDIT OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH HAD BEEN DELIVERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT THE DUAL CONTROLS HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED AND INSPECTED AT THE FACTORY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N249HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N249HS-2002-07-01), registration cancelled 2002-07-01, S/N 2249, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-350B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b) (registry code 8680800) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2249
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: Turbomeca ARRIEL 1B 529 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Simpson, Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 22, 1990, 2 hours before
- Departed: F67
- Destination: F67
- Airport: F67, Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 8 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW, 15 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 19891225053229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891225053229A), Dec 25, 1989: Snias AS350B, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. Cylic pip pin not in place on left control. Stick came off after lift to hover.

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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