# NTSB SEA83FAD01: Aerospatiale S350D, N3597Q, Starfish, AK, November 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1982
- Place: Starfish, AK
- Coordinates: 56.409191, -131.6091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4092&lon=-131.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FAD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FAD01

## Analysis

WHEN THE FLT ARRIVED AT ANITA BAY THERE WERE AREAS OF GROUND FOG MOVING IN & OUT OVER THE LOGGING CAMP LANDING SIGHT. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO FLY OVER THE CAMP & BACK OUT ACROSS THE BAY. SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER WAS OUT OF SIGHT A NOISE SOUNDING LIKE AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND UPSIDE DOWN IN WATER. THE LEFT FLOTATION DEVICE WAS INFLATED BUT THE RIGHT WAS STILL IN THE NORMAL STOWED POSITION. THE PLT ACTIVATED DISCHARGE SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE UNGUARDED POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc rotorcraft,emergency floatation gear - inoperative (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3597Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3597Q-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N 1122, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE S350D
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b) (registry code 8680800) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1b) (registry code 60042, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1122
- Airframe hours: 319
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-600AZ 615 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Inland Helicopters
- Registered owner: Inland Helicopters
- Departed: C, WRANGELL, AK
- Destination: C, WRANGELL, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,004 total, 1,080 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19821108059659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821108059659A), Nov 8, 1982: Snias AS350D, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Helicopter was observed over camp, when out of sight explosion was heard, search located crash site.

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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