# NTSB NYC95LA009: Aerospatiale AS-355, N5787A, Jonesville, VA, October 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1994, 08:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Jonesville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.679241, -83.109939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6792&lon=-83.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA009

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

On October 15, 1994 about 0825 eastern daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS-355 helicopter, N5787A, operated by Ranger Helicopters, was destroyed after it struck power lines and collided with the ground during an aerial application flight in Jonesville, Virginia.  Visual meteorological conditions existed and the commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured.

No additional information is available.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 1994 about 0825 eastern daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS-355 helicopter, N5787A, operated by Ranger Helicopters, was destroyed after it struck power lines and collided with the ground during an aerial application flight in Jonesville, Virginia.  Visual meteorological conditions existed and the commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured.

No additional information is available.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5787A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5787A-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 5069, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355F1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355f1) (registry code 8680810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5069
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ranger Helicopters
- Departed: ROA, ROANOKE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI

## 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 19941015034889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941015034889A), Oct 15, 1994: Aerosp AS355F1, Jonesville, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft struck powerlines while conducting aerial application. Crashed in a field.

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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