# NTSB SEA90FA115: Aerospatiale AS350B, N101FW, Glacier, WA, June 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1990, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Glacier, WA
- Coordinates: 48.800014, -122.060981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8000&lon=-122.0610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA115

## Probable cause

PASSENGER DID NOT FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Analysis

AT THE END OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT SELECTED A FIELD TO LAND. THE PILOT HAD THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OPEN HIS DOOR TO CHECK FOR GROUND CLEARANCE AS THE FIELD WAS COVERED WITH 12-15 INCH HIGH GRASS. THE PASSENGER REPORTED ALL WAS CLEAR AND THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE GROUND. AS THE ROTORS WERE STIL WINDING DOWN, THE REAR SEAT LEFT SIDE PASSENGER EXITED THE STILL OPEN DOOR, WALKED TO THE REAR AND UNDER THE TAIL BOOM. THE PASSENGER WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE TAIL ROTOR. THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE PASSENGER HAD EXITED AS THE PILOT HAD NOT GIVEN THE OK TO EXIT TO THE PASSENGERS. THE PILOT FELT THE HELICOPTER SHUTTER AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE ENGINE WAS THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE HELICOPTER. THE PASSENGERRS HAD BEEN BRIEFED AS TO THE AREAS TO AVOID AROUND THE HELICOPTER AND THE PASSENGER THAT EXITED THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN REMINDED AT LEAST THREE TIMES DURING THE DAY TO STAY AWAY FROM THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101FW-2007-05-21), registration cancelled 2007-05-21, S/N 1018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b) (registry code 8680800) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1018
- Engines: Turbomeca ARRIEL 1B 641 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Fly Wright Corp
- Departed: MT BAKER, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900630023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900630023199A), Jun 30, 1990: Snias AS350B, Glacier, WA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Passenger exited helicopter prior to pilots okay. Walked into rotating tail rotor. Pilot had prior cautioned victim

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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