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NTSB Report
March 21, 1988 · Bell 47G-3B1 · N7863S
Gobernador, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gobernador, NM
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B1
Tail Number
N7863S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88GA088
THE COMMERICAL PLT WAS HOVERING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT 40 FEET AGL. DURING A MANEUVER HE REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG AND THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. THE PLT MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT. A POST ACCIDENT TRANSMISSION TEAR DOWN REVEALED THAT THE LOCKING ROLLERS IN THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD WORN BEYOND TOLERANCE, ALLOWING THE MAIN ROTOR TO BECOME AND REMAIN DISENGAGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERICAL PLT WAS HOVERING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT 40 FEET AGL. DURING A MANEUVER HE REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG AND THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. THE PLT MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT. A POST ACCIDENT TRANSMISSION TEAR DOWN REVEALED THAT THE LOCKING ROLLERS IN THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD WORN BEYOND TOLERANCE, ALLOWING THE MAIN ROTOR TO BECOME AND REMAIN DISENGAGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-3B1
Tail NumberN7863S
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 270
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO