VENICE, LA, USA
N5796M
AEROSPATIALE AS-355-F1
ONE OF THE MECHANICS WHO PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT MAIN ROTOR HEAD STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE THAT HE INSTALLED THE RETAINING BOLTS WHICH SECURED THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY TO THE AIRCRAFT. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ASSEMBLY INDICATED THAT THE RETAINING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED AT IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SUGGESTS THAT THE VIBRATION ABSORBER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND CONTACTED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM RESULTING IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN (WATER). WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER COME APART IN FLIGHT AFTER HEARING A LOUD 'BOOM'.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
