# NTSB MIA86LA068: Aerospatiale 350-B, N513HC, Las Piedras, PR, January 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1986, 06:23 local (10:23 UTC)
- Place: Las Piedras, PR
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - aerial
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - aerial

## Analysis

PILOT STATED THAT WHILE FLARING TO ENTER A HOVER TO REVERSE DIRECTION FOR TAKEOFF THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD STRUCK THE GROUND AND SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOSED OVER FORWARD AND AS IT WAS FLARED A SECOND TIME THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE MAIN ROTOR THEN CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N513HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N513HC-1989-12-20), registration cancelled 1989-12-20, S/N 1440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE 350-B
- Registry model: [S N I A S AS-350B ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as-350b-ecureuil) (registry code 8680801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1440
- Airframe hours: 1020
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1 478 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lass Piedras Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1985, 86 hours before
- Airport: Boqueron, runway 30, 1,300 × 120 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,494 total, 469 in this make and model, 1,264 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 25 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 19860131003769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860131003769A), Jan 31, 1986: Snias AS350B, Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. During flare to a hover to position for takeoff, tail rotor hit the ground. Lost control, main rotors hit ground.

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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