# NTSB MKC84FA029: Aerospatiale AS350D, N5778X, Sweet Springs, MO, November 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1983, 16:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Sweet Springs, MO
- Coordinates: 38.960201, -93.409347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9602&lon=-93.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA029

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - turboshaft engine - failure,total (cause)
  - engine instrument - inaccurate, manufacturer (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine - burned (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine instruments,egt/tot gage - false indication (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS DURING A FERRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT AT ABOUT 200 FT TURNING ON A BASE LEG FOR LANDING HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE ENGINE FAILED. A WITNESS SAID HE HEARD THE ENGINE DIE AND SAW THE HELICOPTER DESCEND. THE PLT SAID HE PULLED OFF ROTOR RPM TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON A SIDEWALK WHILE IN A RIGHT TURN. THE 3 OCCUPANTS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE OPERATOR DISCLOSED AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL OPEN OF THE T-4 WIRING HARNESS SPLICE; AEROSPATIALE P/N 320570 EXTENSION LEAD AND P/N 327637 REDUCTION. MOVEMENT OF THE WIRE RESULTED IN A REDUCED INDICATION OF THE T-4 TEMPERATURE GAUGE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 DEGREES AT GROUND OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5778X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1409
- Airframe hours: 5601
- Engines: LYCOMING LTV 101-600A2 521 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: James B. Burr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 18, 1983, 4 hours before
- Departed: COLUMBIA, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,499 total, 398 in this make and model, 6,299 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: COLI, 57 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 19831121058459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831121058459A), Nov 21, 1983: Snias AS350D, Sweet Springs, MO, Substantial damage. Engine failed. Crashed stretching glide. Open T4 wiring harness gave erroneous reading on TIT. Allowed overtemp.

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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