N84MHAEROSPATIALE AS-355-F 1989-03-26 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

AEROSPATIALE AS-355-F S/N: 5173

Summary

On March 26, 1989, a Aerospatiale AS-355-F (N84MH) was involved in an incident near Bear Valley, CA. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING A SLOW SPEED, DOWNWIND APPROACH TO A HIGH ALTITUDE STOLPORT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, TAILWIND, IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, WHITEOUT CONDITIONS BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, AND THE SNOWBANK.

This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX89FA136. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N84MH.

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, March 26, 1989
NTSB Number
LAX89FA136
Location
BEAR VALLEY, CA
Event ID
20001213X27910
Coordinates
37.959297, -120.870574
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING A SLOW SPEED, DOWNWIND APPROACH TO A HIGH ALTITUDE STOLPORT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, TAILWIND, IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, WHITEOUT CONDITIONS BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, AND THE SNOWBANK.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AEROSPATIALE
Serial Number
5173
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1982
Model / ICAO
AS-355-F AS55
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST NA TRUSTEE
Address
299 S MAIN ST 12TH FL
MAC U1228-120
Status
Deregistered
City
SALT LAKE CITY
State / Zip Code
UT 84111
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX89FA136