ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 22707
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| Date: | Sunday 14 August 1994 |
| Time: | 19:00 |
| Type: |  Aérospatiale AS 350B Astar |
| Owner/operator: | Les Hélicoptères Abitibi Ltée |
| Registration: | C-FHAG |
| MSN: | 1546 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1982 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | 12nm SE of Smoky Tower, Alberta -
 Canada
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia |
| Springbank, Alberta | |
| Investigating agency: | TSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
The pilot of C-FHAG, an Aerospatiale (Eurocopter) AS350BA Astar helicopter, was on a ferry flight from Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, to Springbank, Alberta, with a planned fuel stop at Edson, Alberta. Approximately 30 to 40 minutes after take-off, while in cruise flight at 5,500 feet above sea level (ASL) and at an airspeed of 125 knots, the pilot experienced a vibration, increasing in magnitude, from the main rotor.
About 10 minutes later, upon sighting an abandoned well site in the heavily wooded area, the pilot reduced the airspeed to carry out a precautionary landing. When the helicopter was flared for the landing, control was lost. The helicopter struck the ground, and came to a stop resting on its right side. The pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
The accident occurred 12 nm south-east of Smoky Tower, Alberta, at 19:00 hours mountain daylight saving time (MDT), during the hours of daylight, at an elevation of 3,890 feet ASL. The crash coordinates were 54°20'N latitude and 118°45'W longitude
The Board determined that the main rotor vibration levels increased and control of the helicopter was lost when one of three spherical thrust bearings (STBs) on the main rotor head failed in fatigue. Although it had been noted that an STB was blistered, the manufacturer's inspection/rejection criteria were not followed, and the helicopter was allowed to remain in service.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/1994/a94w0144/a94w0144.asp
2. [LINK NOT WORKING ANYMORE:http://coptercrazy.brinkster.net/search/se350show.asp?start=501&count=50]
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Sep-2008 10:48 | Vaclav Kudela | Added |
| 24-Jun-2014 18:25 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 24-Jun-2014 18:26 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
| 02-Jul-2014 21:59 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, Location, Source, Narrative] |
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