# NTSB MIA91FA076: Aerospatiale SA-341G, N341WC, Miami, FL, January 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1991, 06:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.780189, -80.180862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7802&lon=-80.1809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION IN TIMELY MANNER FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - autorotation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

REAR SEAT PASSENGER RPT HEARING SEVERAL LOUD BANGS IN RAPID SUCCESSION IN AREA OF ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER T/O WHILE THE ACFT WAS AT 200 FEET AND 90 KNOTS. VIBRATION FROM THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WAS FELT SHORTLY AFTER THIS. THE PLT INITIATED A TURN BACK TO T/O AREA. IN THE TURN THE PLT NOTICED THE LOW ROTOR SPEED WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS NOT HEARD. THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE PLT DID NOT INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION NOR DID HE ACTIVATE THE FLOATS. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N341WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N341WC-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 1188, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-341G
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA341G GAZELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa341g-gazelle) (registry code 8680610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ASTAZOU IIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-astazou-iia) (registry code 60006, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1188
- Airframe hours: 2291
- Engines: TURBOMECA ASTAZOU III A 590 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Pujol, Jean, doing business as French Aircraft Agency, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1991, 11 hours before
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Airport: X48, Miami Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,669 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,495 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 5 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 19910131001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910131001319A), Jan 31, 1991: Snias SA341G, Miami, FL, Destroyed. Believed power loss on climbout. Low rotor RPM caused. Impacted water. No defect except air filter backwards.

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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