Aerospatiale AS-350D N132SH
28 August 1989 · Blanchard, Idaho, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 28 August 1989 at about 05:04 local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350D registered N132SH was involved in an accident near Blanchard, Idaho, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 05:04
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Blanchard, Idaho, United States
- Coordinates
- 48.0403, -116.9605
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350D
- Registration
- N132SH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Eastport → Spokane
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- DEN89FA202
People
4 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
OVERHEATING AND SEIZURE OF THE SWASHPLATE BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE HELICOPTER AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE EMERG MED SVC (EMS/MEDEVAC) HELICOPTER WAS EN ROUTE WITH A PLT, 2 MED PSNL & A PATIENT. THE PATIENT (A FUGITIVE WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND) WAS HANDCUFFED TO THE STRETCHER. DRG FLT, THE PLT RPRTD A PROBLEM WITH THE PATIENT & REQUESTED POLICE ASSISTANCE DRG ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL. THE PLT THEN TRANSMITTED AN EXPLETIVE & RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH THE ACFT. WRECKAGE WAS FOUND OVER A 1 MI AREA WITH EVIDENCE OF AN IN-FLT BREAKUP & MAIN ROTOR CONTACT WITH THE COCKPIT & TAIL CONE. INV SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SWASHPLATE BRG SEIZURE. THE PITCH CHG LINK RODS & ROTATIONAL SCISSORS WERE BRKN IN THEDRCTN OF MAIN ROTOR ROTATION & CTC MARKS WERE FND ON THE FWD EARS OF THE ROTATING SWASHPLATE LUGS. DISASSEMBLY REVEALED FAILURE OF THE INNER & OUTER RACE LOCKS & SPALLING OF THE BRG RACES. LACK OF GREASE WAS NOTED IN THE BRG & THE BALL BRGSWERE DISCOLORED BLUE. WEAR MARKS ON THE BALL BRGS INDCD SCUFFING; 1 BALL BRG WAS FLUTED. THE BRG ASSEMBLY HAD ACCRUED 1.23 HRS OF OPN SINCE THE LAST 100 HR INSPN. LUBE REQUIRED EACH 400 HRS, COMPANY POLICY WAS TO LUBE AT 100 HR INTERVALS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerospatiale AS-350D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1989 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Spring Valley, New York, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1989 | Aerospatiale AS 350D | Chamblee, Georgia, United States | Dooley Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Jul 1990 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Berwick, Louisiana, United States | Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1991 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Papillon Hawallian HEL. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jan 1986 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Freeport, Texas, United States | Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1992 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Ft. Grant, Arizona, United States | Southwest Helicopters | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1989 | Piper PA-23-250 | Stanley, Idaho, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 22 Jul 1989 | Stinson 108-2 | Athol, Idaho, United States | William E. Rooks | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Sep 1989 | Evans WITTMAN TAILWIND W10 | McCall, Idaho, United States | Jerviss, Stanley L. | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 Jun 1989 | Cessna 150M | Gooding, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jan 1989 | Cessna 180J | Elk City, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Feb 1989 | Aero Commander S2R | Cottonwood, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |