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NTSB Report
June 24, 1989 · Bell 47G-2 · N1161N
Centralia, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Centralia, WA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N1161N
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA89LA120
THE PLT WAS MAKING A TURN AROUND MANEUVER OVER TREES BETWEEN SWATH RUNS, WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD 'POP' & LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN ROTATING & THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED WHILE IT WAS ROTATING, THEN IT ROLLED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYS REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES, AS WELLAS TORSIONAL FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS CLEARANCE OVER TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT TAIL ROTOR STRIKE WITH THE TREES AND LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE TREES WERE A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS MAKING A TURN AROUND MANEUVER OVER TREES BETWEEN SWATH RUNS, WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD 'POP' & LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN ROTATING & THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED WHILE IT WAS ROTATING, THEN IT ROLLED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYS REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES, AS WELLAS TORSIONAL FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN1161N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435 · Reciprocating · 265
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 3 kt
Visibility55 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:57
Weather SourceWFAC