Aerospatiale AS-350-BA accident near San Angelo, Texas, December 13, 1998
On December 13, 1998 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350-BA (helicopter), registered N911MV, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Angelo, Texas (Mathis Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the rollover during take off for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 13, 1998 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- San Angelo, Texas · Mathis Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350-BA · all AS-350-BAs on the register
- Registration
- N911MV · no longer on the register · serial 2262
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The instructor pilot-command (PIC) of the twin-engine helicopter was giving a newly hired pilot a check out and instruction. After completion of a practice 'hydraulic system off' landing, the PIC performed a normal takeoff (with hydraulics 'ON'). During the takeoff, the helicopter rolled over to the left, and the main rotor blades impacted the ground. The PIC reported that it felt like a 'hydraulic hardover.' Examination of the hydraulic system after the accident did not reveal any defects or anomalies that would validate a hydraulic hardover.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,485 hours in all; 610 in this make and model; 12,055 as pilot in command; 366 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,364 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 10, 1998; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,630 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca ARIEL-1B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SJT at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.