# NTSB LAX88FA163: Aerospatiale AS355F, N5777P, Cajon, CA, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 13:09 local (20:09 UTC)
- Place: Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 34.250259, -117.540611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2503&lon=-117.5406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA163

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather observation - not possible, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - inadequate, pilot in command
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

DURING INCLEMENT WX ON AN EMS FLIGHT WITH A NURSE AND PATIENT ONBOARD, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES WHICH WERE SUSPENDED 36 FEET ABOVE A ROAD. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A RETAINING WALL, CLIPPED THE TOPS OFF SEVERAL TREES AND PLUNGED INTO A 70-FOOT DEEP RAVINE. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST ABOUT 220 FEET FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. THE SOLE SURVIVOR WAS THE PATIENT; HE HAD BEEN STRAPPED ONTO A FULL BODY BOARD. DESPITE THE PILOT'S EXTENSIVE MILITARY & CIVILIAN FLIGHT EXPERIENCE & CONCERN FOR FLIGHT SAFETY, THE OVERRIDING LIFE-SAVING MISSION COUPLED WITH JOB PRESSURES CONTRIBUTED TO HIM DELAYING HIS DECISION TO TURN AROUND. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE DISPATCHER'S/MANAGEMENT'S FAILURE TO READILY PROVIDE THE PILOT WITH ALTERNATE DESTINATION INSTRUCTIONS UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE PRIMARY DESTINATION'S TRAUMA CENTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5777P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS355F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5022
- Airframe hours: 2764
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 840 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Orco Aviation, Inc., doing business as Riverside Air Service [Ems]
- Registered owner: Ps Executive Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: VICTORVILLE, CA
- Destination: LOMA LINDA, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles

## 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 19880417019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417019929A), Apr 17, 1988: Aerosp AS355F, Cajon, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck wires, cement wall and trees trying to negotiate a pass in 30 to 40 foot ceiling.

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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