Aerospatiale AS-350B N35AH

Summary

On 20 May 1995 at about 00:10 local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350B registered N35AH was involved in an accident near Tampa, Florida, United States. 6 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1995 at 00:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Tampa, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aerospatiale AS-350B

Registration

N35AH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA95LA131

1 person was seriously injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS PROCEDURES AFTER FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS PROCEDURES FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED HE FELT A FEEDBACK IN THE CYCLIC CONTROL AND THE CONTROLS LOCKED AS HE MADE A SHALLOW LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 800 FEET. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENDING LEFT TURN TOWARD AN ISLAND AND THE PILOT RECEIVED INTERMITTENT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE INDICATIONS BUT DID NOT FOLLOW MANUFACTURER'S PROCEDURES FOR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH CALL FOR REDUCTION OF AIRSPEED TO BETWEEN 40 AND 60 KNOTS AND TURNING OFF OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN HARD, TAIL FIRST ON THE ISLAND. THE HELICOPTER THEN SKIDDED INTO THE WATER AND CAME TO REST. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED THE HYDRAULIC MANIFOLD AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS FROM THE CORROSION OF THE MANIFOLD AND FILTER CAP. MANUFACTURER'S PROCEDURES REQUIRE THE FILTER AND MANIFOLD TO BE EXAMINED AT EACH 500 HOUR INSPECTION. THE HELICOPTER HAD RECEIVED A 500 HOUR INSPECTION ABOUT 6 WEEKS AND 50 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.