# NTSB NYC83AA209: Aerospatiale AS350D, N900JA, Dover Township, NJ, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Dover Township, NJ
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83AA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83AA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - low pass - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLY ALONG THE BEACH AT ALT OF ABOUT 100-150 MSL, ENTER A BANK TO THE RIGHT AND DESCENDINTO THE WATER AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 45 DEG. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT DISCREPANCIES OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N900JA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1433
- Airframe hours: 440
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600A2 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trinity Jet, Inc.
- Registered owner: Merrill Lynch Resources Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1983, 40 hours before
- Departed: N12, LAKEWOOD, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,050 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEL

## 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 19830814041799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814041799A), Aug 14, 1983: Snias AS350D, Dover Township, NJ, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control in a tight steep bank at a low altitude. Dived into ocean offshore. No mechanical problems found.

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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