MBB BO-105S N2785B

Summary

On 7 May 1989 at about 19:04 local time, a MBB BO-105S registered N2785B, operated by Air Logistics, was involved in an accident near W Cameron Blk. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 1989 at 19:04

Classification

Accident

Location

W Cameron Blk

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

MBB BO-105S

Registration

N2785B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Air Logistics

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hi-A330 → Wc-643

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW89FA093

1 person died.

THE PARTIAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE MICRO-SWITCH FOR THE OUTBOARD LATERAL GUIDE ASSEMBLY, AND THE INCORRECT GUARD INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC TEST SWITCH, RESULTING IN A TOTAL HYDRAULIC FAILURE. FACTORS WERE: THE INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE GUARD BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON, THE FAILURE OF THE COMPANY TO COMPLY WITH THE SPECIFIED SERVICE BULLETIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE TWIN ENGINE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO, WHEN IT SUDDENLY PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO IMPACT INVERTED INTO THE WATER. IT SANK TO A DEPTH OF APPROXIMATELY 380 FEET. AFTER RECOVERY OF THE HELICOPTER, EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT AN INCORRECT HYDRAULIC SWITCH GUARD HELD THE TEST SWITCH IN THE RESET POSITION, ELECTRICALLY ISOLATING HYDRAULIC SYSTEM NUMBER TWO FROM OPERATION, AND THAT THE HYDRAULIC MODULE WAS IN THE NUMBER 1 SYSTEM. FURTHER INSPECTION AND TESTING FOUND A DEFECTIVE MICRO-SWITCH IN THE OUTBOARD LATERAL GUIDE ASSEMBLY OF THE HYDRAULIC MODULE. ADDITIONALLY, THE OPERATOR HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH A REQUIRED SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE MODULE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.