# NTSB MKC88FA043: Aerospatiale AS-350B, N26TM, Omaha, NE, January 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1988, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Omaha, NE
- Coordinates: 41.240379, -95.959663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2404&lon=-95.9597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight control system,primary servo - ice (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - cyclic - restricted (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not possible
- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - pole
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PICKED THE AIRCRAFT UP TO A HOVER AND MADE A HOVERING TURN IN PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO RISE. THE PILOT STATED LATER THAT HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A SECURITY FENCE AROUND THE HELIPORT. THE MAIN ROTOR THEN STRUCK A WIND SOCK POLE, A TREE, LIGHT POLE, AND CONCRETE BENCH DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN (SB) #67-05 HAD BEEN PARTIALLY COMPLETED. THE SB PROVIDED FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ICE IN THE HYDRAULIC SERVO BY INSTALLATION OF PROTECTIVE COVERS. THE PROTECTIVE COVERS HAD BEEN INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE OTHER TWO MAIN ROTOR SERVOS BUT NOT THE SERVO WHICH CONTROLLED FORE AND AFT CYCLIC CONTROL. THE OMAHA AREA EXPERIENCED FREEZING PRECIPITATION THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT,THE TEMPERATURE HAD NOT RISEN ABOVE FREEZING DURING THE DAY, AND FREEZING PRECIP WAS FORECAST.THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY FOR THIS ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26TM-1991-05-06), registration cancelled 1991-05-06, S/N 1644 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-350B
- 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: 1644
- Airframe hours: 2262
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1B 680 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: James B Burr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 5, 1988, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,455 total, 419 in this make and model, 2,455 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 16 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 10 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 19880120000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880120000999A), Jan 20, 1988: Snias AS350B, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage. Picked up to a hover when helicopter pitched up. Lost control and crashed. Iced control servos. AD not complied.

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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