# NTSB MKC82DA155: Aerospatiale AS-355F, N57807, Cedar Rapids, IA, August 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1982, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Rapids, IA
- Location: 42.0083° N, 91.6441° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cedar Rapids, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0083&lon=-91.6441&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal

## Analysis

THE AIRCREW LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHILE MAKING A PEDAL TURN AT 800 TO 900 AGL. AFTER 5 ROTATIONS, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND, BOUNCED, ROLLED AND FELL ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. SWITCHES WERE CUT AND THE CREW MADE AN EXIT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS. IN THE HELICOPTER HANDBOOK, IT SAYS TO "USE PEDALS TO COMPENSATE FOR TORQUE. DO NOT USE TO ASSIST THE TURN." IN INVESTIGATIVE FLIGHT TESTS, MISUSE OF THE PEDALS RESULTED IN A SPINNING TUCKED DESCENT UNTIL RECOVERY WAS INITIATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57807 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5039
- Airframe hours: 78
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 330 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Collins General Avaition Avion
- Registered owner: Island Helicopters Inc.
- Departed: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
- Destination: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,852 total, 4 in this make and model, 5,010 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820823040729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820823040729A), Aug 23, 1982: Aerosp AS355F, Cedar Rapids, IA, Substantial damage. Helicopter went into uncontrollable left spin after pilot began a pedal turn. Manual warns against pedal turns.

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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