Aerospatiale SA-341G N341WC
31 January 1991 · Miami, Florida, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 31 January 1991 at about 11:05 local time, a Aerospatiale SA-341G registered N341WC, operated by Pujol, Jean, was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 11:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Miami, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Miami Heliport (X48)
- Coordinates
- 25.7802, -80.1809
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA-341G
- Registration
- N341WC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Pujol, Jean
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Naples
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- MIA91FA076
People
3 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION IN TIMELY MANNER FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
REAR SEAT PASSENGER RPT HEARING SEVERAL LOUD BANGS IN RAPID SUCCESSION IN AREA OF ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER T/O WHILE THE ACFT WAS AT 200 FEET AND 90 KNOTS. VIBRATION FROM THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WAS FELT SHORTLY AFTER THIS. THE PLT INITIATED A TURN BACK TO T/O AREA. IN THE TURN THE PLT NOTICED THE LOW ROTOR SPEED WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS NOT HEARD. THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE PLT DID NOT INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION NOR DID HE ACTIVATE THE FLOATS. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerospatiale SA-341G accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 May 1992 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Yamhill, Oregon, United States | Teufel Nursery, Inc | Fatal | 2 |
| 6 Nov 1993 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Lake Berryessa, California, United States | Everything Flyable Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jan 1988 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Bowie, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jul 1984 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Plymouth, Minnesota, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Aug 1982 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Long Beach, California, United States | Heli Flight Systems, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 9 Mar 2011 | Aerospatiale SA-341G | Cumbria, United Kingdom | - | Unknown | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jan 1991 | Hughes 269C | Deland, Florida, United States | Maverick Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jan 1991 | Cessna 182N | La Belle, Florida, United States | Smith, Gregory H. | Serious injuries | - |
| 11 Jan 1991 | Cessna 175 | Okeechobee, Florida, United States | Davia, Samuel J. JR. | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jan 1991 | Cessna 172N | New Smyrna Bch, Florida, United States | Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ., Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jan 1991 | Cessna 152 | Miami, Florida, United States | Silver Express, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 1991 | Piper PA-31-350 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Top Flight Air Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |