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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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February 1, 1995 · Bell 47G-4A · N6SR

El Indio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
El Indio, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N6SR
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW95LA105

THE HELICOPTER, BEING USED FOR PREDATOR CONTROL, WAS 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND WAS CHASING A BOBCAT. THE PILOT SAID A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND GUST CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO LOSE TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND IT BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT INCREASED COLLECTIVE AND THROTTLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN AIRSPEED, BUT THIS CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM TO DROOP AND ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE HELICOPTER TO REGAIN AIRSPEED BY LOWERING THE NOSE. THE PILOT THEN REDUCED COLLECTIVE TO REGAIN RPM, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SPIN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND.

Full Narrative

On February 1, 1995, approximately 1500 central standard time, a Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near El Indio, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, but a second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. The helicopter was being used for predator control and was chasing a bobcat about 25 feet above the ground. The pilot said a right quartering tailwind gust caused the helicopter to lose tail rotor effectiveness and it began spinning to the right. He increased collective and throttle in an attempt to regain airspeed, but this caused the main rotor RPM to droop and altitude was insufficient to allow the helicopter to regain airspeed by diving. He then reduced collective to regain RPM, but the helicopter continued to spin and impacted the terrain.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN6SR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data