# NTSB LAX89IA242: Aerospatiale AS350D, N143EH, Long Beach, CA, July 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1989, 11:23 local (18:23 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.81958, -118.10939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8196&lon=-118.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89IA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89IA242

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO HIS OVER WATER FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FLOATS WERE DEPLOYED AND A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION WAS MADE IN THE OCEAN. THE DRIVE SPLINES ON THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE ASYMMETRICAL WEAR AND THE ENGINE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR THAT DROVE THE FUEL PUMP SPLINES WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE GEAR AND SPLINE PERMITTED SLIPPAGE IN THE FUEL PUMP DRIVE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143EH-1989-12-28), registration cancelled 1989-12-28, S/N 1450 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350D
- 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: 1450
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Island Express Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVALON, CA
- Destination: LONG BEACH, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## 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.; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LGB, 13 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 19890720066739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890720066739A), Jul 20, 1989: Snias AS350D, Long Beach, CA, Minor damage. Engine flamed out. Landed on ocean. Rolled inverted after evacuation. Fuel pump drive gear and splines excess wear.

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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