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NTSB Report
May 11, 1991 · Bell 47-G · N955B
Aguadilla, PR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Aguadilla, PR
Aircraft
Bell 47-G
Tail Number
N955B
Operator
Esteves Arturo
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA91LA141
THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY AN NTSB INVESTIGATOR AND A U.S. COAST GUARD PILOT TO CONDUCT AN OUT-OF-GROUND-EFFECT HOVER WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND IN THE VICINITY OF A PREVIOUS CRASH SITE. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE DESCENDING WITH A SLOW LEFT TURN. THE ENGINE RPM WAS HEARD TO INCREASE AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT STATED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SETTLING WITH POWER. HE FURTHER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE, WHICH WAS NOT SUBSTANTIATED BY EYEWITNESSES WHO HEARD AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO CONDUCT AN OUT-OF-GROUND-EFFECT HOVER WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND. THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SETTLING WITH POWER AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY AN NTSB INVESTIGATOR AND A U.S. COAST GUARD PILOT TO CONDUCT AN OUT-OF-GROUND-EFFECT HOVER WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND IN THE VICINITY OF A PREVIOUS CRASH SITE. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE DESCENDING WITH A SLOW LEFT TURN. THE ENGINE RPM WAS HEARD TO INCREASE AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT STATED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SETTLING WITH POWER. HE FURTHER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE, WHICH WAS NOT SUBSTANTIATED BY EYEWITNESSES WHO HEARD AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 AST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47-G
Tail NumberN955B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEsteves Arturo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V-350-A · Reciprocating · 235
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time14:49
Weather SourceWFAC