Accident · 1989-08-19

NTSB case LAX89LA281 · AEROSPATIALE AS350D · Part 135

What the record says

Event date: 1989-08-19
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: Serious injury
Aircraft: AEROSPATIALE AS350D (N35970)
Operating rule: Part 135
Operator: PAPILLON HELICOPTERS Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): PAPILLON HELICOPTERS, LTD

Probable cause

A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT AND BEARINGS. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF OIL STARVATION DUE TO AN EXCESSIVELY WORN CHIP DETECTOR O-RING SEAL,INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Source: NTSB case LAX89LA281

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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