# NTSB NYC87LA220: Aerospatiale AS350D, N350AP, Nantucket, MA, July 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1987, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2714° N, 70.0959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nantucket, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2714&lon=-70.0959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS ENROUTE FROM NANTUCKET TO HYANNIS WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A SEVERE VIBRATION, LOSS OF POWER TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM, AND A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. THE HELICOPTER MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN WATER ABOUT 25 FEET IN FRONT OF A FISHING BOAT AND 8 MILES NORTH OF NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS, WHILE ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT. THE HELICOPTER EMERGENCY FLOATS WERE AT THE FACTORY BEING REPAIRED. THE PILOT EXITED WITH MINOR INJURIES AND THE HELICOPTER SANK INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER. THE ENGINE TO THE MAIN ROTOR GEARBOX DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY AND A GIMBAL JOINT ASSEMBLY WERE EXAMINED IN THE NTSB MATERIALS LABORATORY. THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE FORWARD FLEXIBLE COUPLING. THE INTERNAL SURFACES OF THE JUNCTION CASE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE IN THE VICINITY OF THE GIMBAL JOINT PIVOT POINTS. THE DAMAGE INCLUDED DEEP CIRCUMFERENTIAL CHANNELS CUT INTO THE CASE AND SEVERE HEATING/FRETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N350AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N350AP-1997-10-09), registration cancelled 1997-10-09, S/N 1252 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350D
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b) (registry code 8680800) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1252
- Airframe hours: 1280
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-60DA2 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Jones,Jones & Welch
- Registered owner: Jones, Jones & Welch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Destination: HYA, HYANNIS, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,249 total, 553 in this make and model, 4,899 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 20 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °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).

- [Incident 19870728053839I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870728053839I), Jul 28, 1987: Snias AS350D, Nantucket, MA, Minor damage. Loss of power and severe vibration followed a loud bang. Ditched. Drive shaft coupling had failed.

## Other investigations on N350AP (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX90LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA132), Apr 1, 1990: Aerospatiale AS350B (N350AP), Saipan (Pacific Ocean), destroyed. Probable cause: THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF A ROTOR SYSTEM COMPONENT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

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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