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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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May 9, 2000 · Bell 47G · N14408

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N14408
Operator
Stinson Air Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA145

During a touchdown autorotation, which the flight instructor was demonstrating, the helicopter touched down with forward movement. As the helicopter was sliding along the ground, it suddenly stopped and went up onto the toes of the skids before settling back onto the skids. During the event, the main rotor blades struck the tailboom forward of the tailrotor area and severed the tailboom

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper touchdown performed by the flight instructor.

Full Narrative

On May 9, 2000, at 1730 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N14408, was substantially damaged when it nosed down during a practice autorotation at the Stinson Municipal Airport near San Antonio, Texas. The helicopter was owned by Stinson Flight Center, LLC, and operated by Stinson Air Center, LLC, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and the pilot rated student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the Stinson Municipal Airport, at 1700. During a touchdown autorotation, which the flight instructor was demonstrating, the helicopter touched down with forward movement. As the helicopter was sliding along the ground, it suddenly stopped and went up on the toes of the skids before settling back onto the skids. During the event, the main rotor blades struck the tailboom forward of the tailrotor area and severed the tailboom. The operator reported that both main rotor blades, the front skid crossboom, the tailrotor gearbox, and both tailrotor blades sustained damage. The FAA inspector who examined the accident site, reported that the grass area north of runway 9 had minute indentations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportStinson Municipal (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN14408
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStinson Air Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data