# NTSB NYC86LA100: Aerospatiale SA316B, N2354, Pittsburgh, PA, April 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1986, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Pittsburgh, PA
- Coordinates: 40.459239, -79.989036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4592&lon=-79.9890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA100

## 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, takeoff
  - reduction gear assy,reduction gear - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - not identified, company maintenance personnel
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LIFTED OFF THE HELIPAD VERTICALLY TO AN ALTITUDE OF 30 FEET AT WHICH TIME HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. HE BACKED UP THE HELICOPTER 20 FEET AND ALLOWED IT TO YAW TO THE RIGHT AS IT DESCENDED TO THE HELIPAD. HE LANDED ON THE HELIPAD HARD WITH LOW ROTOR RPM. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE GEAR AND SPLINE ASSEMBLY IN THE REDUCTION GEARBOX HAD STRIPPED THEREBY DISCONNECTING THE GEARBOX FROM THE TURBINE SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2354 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA316B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1587
- Airframe hours: 9206
- Engines: Turbomeca ARTOUSTE IIIB 542 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Allegheny General Hospital, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1986
- Destination: CLEARFIELD, PA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Allegheny Gen'L Hospital

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,376 total, 381 in this make and model, 88 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860405009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860405009779A), Apr 5, 1986: Aerosp SE3160, Pittsburgh, PA, Substantial damage. Engine fail (.4)the pilot-in-command lifted off the helipad vertically to an altitude of 30 feet at which time he experienced a power loss. He backed up the…

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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