1990-07-21: Aerospatiale AS-350D — Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.

1990-07-21: Aerospatiale AS-350D — Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. — Berwick, LA

Casualties unknown • Berwick, LA, US

Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTACLES IN THE LANDING ZONE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE LANDING ZONE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING POSITIONING WITHIN A LANDING ZONE THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TELEPHONE LINES WHILE HOVERING AT ABOUT THREE FEET. THE PILOT SAW THE LINES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IMPACT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE LINES WHICH THEN BECAME ENTANGLED WITH ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE BLADE SUBSEQUENTLY SEPARATED AND THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND A PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LANDED HARD. THE LANDING ZONE WAS NOT ONE NORMALLY SERVICED BY THE OPERATOR AND THE PILOT HAD NEVER LANDED THERE BEFORE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-07-21 Aerospatiale AS-350D accident near Berwick, LA?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-07-21 involved a Aerospatiale AS-350D, registration N3598F, operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., at Berwick, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?