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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 5, 1994 · Bell 47-62 · N6711D

Aurora, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Aurora, MO
Aircraft
Bell 47-62
Tail Number
N6711D
Operator
Wallace Milo V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA133

THE CFI AND DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONAL LANDINGS DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. A 180 DEGREE AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED BY THE STUDENT. THE CFI STATED THE GROUND CLOSURE RATE WAS TOO FAST AND THE FLARE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SLOW THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT JUST AS HE REACHED FOR THE CONTROLS, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND ON THE REAR ONE THIRD PORTION OF THE SKIDS AND BOUNCED. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE DUAL STUDENTS INADEQUATE FLARE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 1994, at 1315 central standard time, a Bell 47-G2, N6711D, operated as an instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it landed hard while practicing autorotations at the airport in Aurora, Missouri. The Airline Transport Pilot/Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) and the Commercially certificated dual student reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Aurora, Missouri, approximately 1230. Both pilots reported the purpose of the local flight was to practice autorotational landings. The CFI stated the student satisfactorily completed several normal and 180 degree autorotational landings during the flight. The student initiated another 180 degree autorotation. The CFI stated everything was normal as the autorotation was initiated. He reported the rotor RPM climbed during the turn, but this was corrected by the student. The CFI realized the closure rate was too fast and the flare was not sufficient to slow the rate of descent. As he reached for the controls, the helicopter contacted the ground on the rear one third portion of the skids, then bounced. The CFI reported the main rotor blades struck the tail rotor drive shaft, and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The helicopter bounced again and came to a stop approximately 220 degrees from the touchdown heading.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CST
Nearest AirportAurora Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47-62
Tail NumberN6711D
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWallace Milo V
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data