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NTSB Report
October 29, 1989 · Bell 47G-2A-1 · N500CD
Plymouth, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, IN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A-1
Tail Number
N500CD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA020
DURING A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW (BFR) FOR THE LEFT SEAT PLT, SVRL PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS WERE PERFORMED. THE CFI (RIGHT SEAT PLT) RPRTD THAT THE BFR WAS PROGRESSING VERY WELL UNTIL THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON A SOD TAXIWAY AFTER THE FINAL AUTOROTATION. HE RPRTD THE TOUCHDOWN WAS SOFT, BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, AFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED . . .' THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAIL BOOM & SEVERED IT. THE CFI RPRTD THE ACCIDENT WAS UNEXPECTED & OCCURRED SO QUICKLY THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO INTERVENE. THE BFR PLT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 344 HRS WITH 310 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. THE CFI STATED THE WX WAS CLEAR WITH CALM WINDS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE STUDENT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S (CFI'S) INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.
Full Narrative
DURING A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW (BFR) FOR THE LEFT SEAT PLT, SVRL PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS WERE PERFORMED. THE CFI (RIGHT SEAT PLT) RPRTD THAT THE BFR WAS PROGRESSING VERY WELL UNTIL THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON A SOD TAXIWAY AFTER THE FINAL AUTOROTATION. HE RPRTD THE TOUCHDOWN WAS SOFT, BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, AFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED . . .' THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAIL BOOM & SEVERED IT. THE CFI RPRTD THE ACCIDENT WAS UNEXPECTED & OCCURRED SO QUICKLY THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO INTERVENE. THE BFR PLT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 344 HRS WITH 310 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. THE CFI STATED THE WX WAS CLEAR WITH CALM WINDS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:05 EST
Nearest AirportPlymouth Muni (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2A-1
Tail NumberN500CD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50