Aerospatiale AS 350B accident near West Palm Beach, FL
On April 8, 1997, an Aerospatiale AS 350B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, FL. 5 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 8, 1997
- Place
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS 350B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 5 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 26.660°N, 80.090°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07767
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 8, 1997, about 0844 eastern daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS 350B, N370WM, registered to and operated by the South Florida Water Management District, crashed during takeoff from the Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the public-use flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and four passengers were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. About 0630, on the morning of the accident, a pilot reported that he landed his helicopter on the ramp about 25 feet from near where the accident helicopter was parked. He lifted off about 5 minutes later and during that time, he observed an object fluttering on top of the cabin in about the middle. He thought the object was paper towels that appeared to be dew soaked. He continued the takeoff and did not report his observation until after the accident had occurred. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight of the helicopter which was positioned on a dolly on the ramp without using a checklist. He stated that he verified the fuel load of 70 percent was on board, and in part verified that the engine intake area was free of obstructions. He also stated that while standing on the ground at the arc of the main rotor blades, he looked toward the oil cooler inlet area which is located on the top portion of cabin forward of the main rotor assembly. He did not observe any foreign objects and he did not clean the windshield that morn
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot-in-command to recognize that the main rotor rpm was decreasing and his failure to maintain the main rotor rpm during the autorotative landing resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to partial blockage of the engine air inlet screen. Also contributing was inadequate inspection of the airplane following maintenance by o
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Browse: Florida · Aerospatiale aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
