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NTSB Report
November 15, 1993 · Bell 47G3B1 · N1181W
Mesa, WA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, WA
Aircraft
Bell 47G3B1
Tail Number
N1181W
Operator
Tri-City Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA042
WHILE COMING IN FOR A LANDING NEAR A CHEMICAL LOADING TRUCK, THE PILOT ALLOWED HIS AIRSPEED TO REMAIN HIGH. DURING HIS ATTEMPT TO LAND WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, THE PILOT MADE AN IMPROPER FLARE, RESULTING IN THE TAIL ROTOR HOOP HITTING THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY A HARD LANDING. AS A RESULT OF THE HARD LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN AND CUT THROUGH THE TOP TAIL BOOM TUBES.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE. FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WHILE APPROACHING THE FLARE.
Full Narrative
On November 15, 1993, at 1100 PST, a Bell BH-47G3B1 helicopter, N1181W, operated by Tri-City Helicopter, Inc., landed hard at Mesa, Washington. There was no flight plan filed for the local aerial application flight, conducted under 14 CFR 137 in visual meteorological conditions, that originated at the accident site about 1030, November 15, 1993. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire. The operator reported that the pilot had approached the landing site with excessive airspeed, flared excessively during landing, struck the tail on the ground, and landed hard. This was followed by the main rotor blades flexing down and striking the tail boom.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G3B1
Tail NumberN1181W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTri-City Helicopter
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT