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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

April 27, 1994 · Bell 47G · N46DH

Springfield, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Springfield, MO
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N46DH
Operator
Carlie R Hill
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA142

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND INITIATED A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION FOR A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STUDENT DURING A LOW LEVEL (90 FOOT AGL) AGRICULTURAL TURN. DURING THE FLARE TO LANDING, COLLECTIVE WAS APPLIED EARLY, ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED WITH A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED INTO THE AIR AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. BOTH PILOTS APPLIED AFT CYCLIC, RESULTING IN ROTOR BLADE TO FUSELAGE CONTACT, SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command misjudging the autorotation and improper use of collective.

Full Narrative

On April 27, 1994, at 1015 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N46DH, operated as a training aircraft by C. R. Hill of Springfield, Missouri, impacted the ground during a practice autorotation at Air Park South, Springfield, Missouri, and was substantially damaged. The Designated Pilot Examiner/flight instructor and flight instructor student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a flight instructor training flight. The practice autorotation was initiated during a practice low level agricultural application turn. According to the pilot, collective input to cushion the landing was made too early, main rotor rpm decayed and the helicopter landed with a high descent rate. Upon touchdown, the helicopter bounced and pitched nose down. The pilot in command reported that the combined aft cyclic input by both pilots and blade flexing resulted in rotor blade to fuselage contact, severing the tail boom.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportAir Park South (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length2528 ft
Runway Width39 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN46DH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarlie R Hill
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · V6-335 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats3

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data