Service difficulty report · Turbine Wheel · Snias AS350B

Difficulty date
July 25, 2005
Submitted
August 1, 2005
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N57958
Make and model
Snias AS350B
Aircraft serial
1512
Aircraft time
9,280 hours, 36,333 cycles
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL1B
Engine time
6,854 hours
Part
Turbine Wheel
Condition
Failed
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
X, A, J
Precautionary procedure
B, A

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

AS-350 CRASHED IN BOGGY TERRAIN WHILE DEPARTING JUNEAU AIRPORT. AIRCRAFT HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. IT APPEARS THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE TURBINE BLADE OR BLADES CAME APART IN THE ENGINE AND SMOKE/FIRE WAS OBSERVED FROM PERSONS ON THE GROUND RESULTING IN AUTOROTATION, EMERGENCY HARD LANDING. THIS HAPPENED JUST AFTER THE INITIAL LIFTOFF FROM THE HELIPORT AND ATTAINING ABOUT 100 FEET ALTITUDE. ENGINE SENT TO TMECA FOR REPORT OF DAMAGE/REASON. SOME UNKNOWNS AT THIS TIME.