# NTSB SEA89LA086: Aerospatiale AS-355-F2, N225CC, Las Vegas, NV, April 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1989, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.140659, -115.179718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1407&lon=-115.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA086

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION IN SELECTING AN UNSUITABLE AREA FOR PRACTICE LANDINGS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT RESULTING IN A TAIL ROTOR STRIKE AND LOSS OF ANTITORQUE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRACTICE LANDING TO AN ABANDONED CONCRETE BUILDING FOUNDATION. WHILE AT A HOVER AFTER COMPLETING THE LANDING, THE PILOT EXECUTED A 90 DEGREE RIGHT PEDAL TURN AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A STRUCTURAL REINFORCING BAR THAT WAS PROTRUDING 18 INCHES OUT OF THE EDGE OF THE FOUNDATION. ANTITORQUE CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT SPUN 90 DEGREES BEFORE MAKING A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N225CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N225CC-1989-11-01), registration cancelled 1989-11-01, S/N 5372, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS-355-F2
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS 355F2](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as-355f2) (registry code 8680825) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5372
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20F 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Circus Circus, Inc.
- Registered owner: Circus Circus Enterprizes Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,938 total, 109 in this make and model, 8,577 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 8 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 19890414011619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890414011619A), Apr 14, 1989: Aerosp AS355F2, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Practice pickup to hover from cement building site pad. Tail rotor hit concrete rebar doing considerable damage.

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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