# NTSB LAX84LA454: Aerospatiale AS-355E, N5787X, Strawberry, CA, August 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1984, 14:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: Strawberry, CA
- Coordinates: 37.300086, -120.869789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3001&lon=-120.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA454
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA454

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor drive system - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING THE LANDING PAD WHEN THE PLT HEARD A LOUD NOISE & EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING TO THE LEFT, STRUCK THE HELIPAD, ROLLED OVER & BURNED. THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE, THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5787X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5083
- Airframe hours: 1940
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 420 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rogers Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Tgr Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANGLES CAMP, CA
- Destination: STRAWBERRY, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,287 total, 2,039 in this make and model, 9,906 as pilot in command, 358 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK

## 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 19840824075809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840824075809A), Aug 24, 1984: Aerosp AS355E, Strawberry, CA, Destroyed. Heard loud bang, spun to the left,tail boom hit helipad, rolled over. Fire to extensive to determine cause.

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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