Aerospatiale AS-355-F2 accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, April 14, 1989
On April 14, 1989 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Aerospatiale AS-355-F2 (helicopter), registered N225CC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION IN SELECTING AN UNSUITABLE AREA FOR PRACTICE LANDINGS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT RESULTING IN A TAIL ROTOR STRIKE AND LOSS OF ANTITORQUE CONTROL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 14, 1989 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-355-F2 · all AS-355-F2s on the register
- Registration
- N225CC · no longer on the register · serial 5372
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT MADE A PRACTICE LANDING TO AN ABANDONED CONCRETE BUILDING FOUNDATION. WHILE AT A HOVER AFTER COMPLETING THE LANDING, THE PILOT EXECUTED A 90 DEGREE RIGHT PEDAL TURN AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A STRUCTURAL REINFORCING BAR THAT WAS PROTRUDING 18 INCHES OUT OF THE EDGE OF THE FOUNDATION. ANTITORQUE CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT SPUN 90 DEGREES BEFORE MAKING A HARD LANDING.
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, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,938 hours in all; 109 in this make and model; 123 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 8,577 as pilot in command; 219 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 69 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 5,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20F (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Circus Circus, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: LAS Las Vegas NV at 2:50 pm
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from LAS, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.