# NTSB MKC83LA222: S.N.I.A.S. AS350D, N5786B, Cape Girardeau, MO, September 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1983, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Cape Girardeau, MO
- Coordinates: 37.340904, -89.569381 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3409&lon=-89.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, THEN THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP & TO THE LEFT. HE REDUCED POWER & NOTICED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS INOPERATIVE. DURING A RUN-ON LANDING APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER BEGUN TO YAW, THEN BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, IT BEGAN TO SPIN. DURING GROUND IMPACT, THE LANDING GEAR SKIDS WERE TWISTED, THE VERTICAL FIN WAS KNOCKED OFF, ALL MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCT THE GROUND & THE RIGHT FRONT & RIGHT REAR DOORS WERE DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, PN 350A34-0110-02, HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5786B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: S.N.I.A.S. AS350D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1454
- Airframe hours: 306
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerospatiale Helicopters,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1982, 96 hours before
- Departed: IND, INDIANOPOLIS, IN
- Airport: CGI, Cape Girardeau Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,501 total, 337 in this make and model, 5,129 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI

## 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 19830923050919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830923050919A), Sep 23, 1983: Snias AS350D, Cape Girardeau, MO, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after malfunction of tail rotor system.

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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