# NTSB NYC83FA210: Aerospatiale SA-360C, N8479U, New York, NY, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 18:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: New York, NY
- Coordinates: 40.750843, -73.979278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7508&lon=-73.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA210

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO A HELIPORT, THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 70 KTS & 100 FT AGL WHEN THE PLT APPLIED POWER TO BEGIN DECELERATING. AS COLLECTIVE PITCH WAS APPLIED, HE HEARD A SERIES OF BANGING NOISES WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS SIMILAR TO COMPRESS STALLS. SIMULTANEOUSLY, HE NOTED A DECAY OF THE ENG POWER. THE PLT CHANGED HIS COURSE TO MINIMIZE THE DISTANCE TO THE LANDING AREA & RAISED THE NOSE TO FURTHER DECELERATE FOR A VERTICAL DESCENT. HOWEVER, DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE TAILWHEEL STRUT FAIRING HIT A BARRIER AT THE EDGE OF THE HELIPORT, SEPARATING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER & FENESTRON. THE SEPARATED COMPONENT TRAVELED UPWARD & STRUCK THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. REPORTEDLY, THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN SOUNDED JUST BEFORE THE COMPRESSOR STALL. CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR A LOW RPM WARNING HORN IN THIS SITUATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO REDUCE THE POWER DEMAND BY LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE AND/OR REDUCING RIGHT PEDAL APPLICATION. AN ENG CHECK REVEALED IT WAS CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE MAX REQUIRED TORQUE, BUT IT HAD SLIGHT FOULING OF THE FUEL INJECTOR WHEEL & COMPRESSOR AIR FLOW

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8479U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8479U-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 1023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-360C
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SA-360C "DAUPHIN"](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-sa-360c-dauphin) (registry code 8680662) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1023
- Airframe hours: 2777
- Engines: TURBOMECA AST. XVIIIA 871 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Island Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 21, 1983, 43 hours before
- Departed: LGA, FLUSHING, NY
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 6N5, East 34th St. Heli., runway 1, 304 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,450 total, 315 in this make and model, 4,250 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA, 4 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 19830814048189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814048189A), Aug 14, 1983: Aerosp SA360C, New York, NY, Substantial damage. Encountered power surge on vertical landing. Failed to make timely adjustments caused RPM decay and tail strike.

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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