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NTSB Report
October 13, 1991 · Bell 47G-5 · N1201W
La Belle, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
La Belle, FL
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5
Tail Number
N1201W
Operator
Colony Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA92LA014
THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 200 FEET AGL WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND A ROARING NOISE. THE PILOT CONDUCTED AN AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE, NOSED OVER AND SLID FORWARD. THE PILOT STATED, 'I PULLED A LITTLE TOO MUCH AFT CYCLIC AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRFRAME SYSTEM FAILURE REVEALED THE OUTER BEARING OF THE LOWER GEARCASE INPUT QUILL ASSEMBLY FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER AFT APPLICATION OF CYCLIC CONTROL DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD, RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDING WITH THE TAIL BOOM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IN FLIGHT FAILURE OF THE OUTER BEARING OF THE LOWER GEARCASE INPUT QUILL ASSEMBLY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 200 FEET AGL WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND A ROARING NOISE. THE PILOT CONDUCTED AN AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE, NOSED OVER AND SLID FORWARD. THE PILOT STATED, 'I PULLED A LITTLE TOO MUCH AFT CYCLIC AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRFRAME SYSTEM FAILURE REVEALED THE OUTER BEARING OF THE LOWER GEARCASE INPUT QUILL ASSEMBLY FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:25 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-5
Tail NumberN1201W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorColony Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO