# NTSB FTW90LA143: Aerospatiale AS-350D, N3598F, Berwick, LA, July 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1990, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Berwick, LA
- Coordinates: 29.700176, -91.230659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7002&lon=-91.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA143

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTACLES IN THE LANDING ZONE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE LANDING ZONE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING POSITIONING WITHIN A LANDING ZONE THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TELEPHONE LINES WHILE HOVERING AT ABOUT THREE FEET. THE PILOT SAW THE LINES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IMPACT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE LINES WHICH THEN BECAME ENTANGLED WITH ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE BLADE SUBSEQUENTLY SEPARATED AND THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND A PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LANDED HARD. THE LANDING ZONE WAS NOT ONE NORMALLY SERVICED BY THE OPERATOR AND THE PILOT HAD NEVER LANDED THERE BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3598F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3598F-1994-12-09), registration cancelled 1994-12-09, S/N 1132 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-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: 1132
- Airframe hours: 8488
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS101-600A 590 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Swig, Benjamine H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 15, 1990
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,598 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,359 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 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 19900721029299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900721029299A), Jul 21, 1990: Snias AS350D, Berwick, LA, Substantial damage. Struck wires while hovering over a levee preparing to land at Private pad. Tail rotor seperated. Made hard landing.

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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