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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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December 4, 1989 · Bell 47D1 · N2202C

Ardmore, OK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ardmore, OK
Aircraft
Bell 47D1
Tail Number
N2202C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA041

AFTER AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON A TAXIWAY AND THE STUDENT PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE. DUE TO LIMITED GROUND CLEARANCE, STUDENTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO POSITION THE HELICOPTER ONTO THE NEARBY REFUELING PAD. THEREFORE, THE CFI MANNED THE HELICOPTER, WITH THE STUDENT NOW A PASSENGER AND AIR TAXIED DOWNWIND TO THE PAD. ONCE ON THE PAD, GUSTY TAILWINDS PROMPTED THE CFI TO REALIGN THE HELICOPTER. AS POWER WAS ADDED, WITH THE AIRCRAFT HEADING EAST, CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 100 FEET WEST OF THE PAD. THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY TAIL WINDS.

Full Narrative

AFTER AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON A TAXIWAY AND THE STUDENT PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE. DUE TO LIMITED GROUND CLEARANCE, STUDENTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO POSITION THE HELICOPTER ONTO THE NEARBY REFUELING PAD. THEREFORE, THE CFI MANNED THE HELICOPTER, WITH THE STUDENT NOW A PASSENGER AND AIR TAXIED DOWNWIND TO THE PAD. ONCE ON THE PAD, GUSTY TAILWINDS PROMPTED THE CFI TO REALIGN THE HELICOPTER. AS POWER WAS ADDED, WITH THE AIRCRAFT HEADING EAST, CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 100 FEET WEST OF THE PAD. THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CST
Nearest AirportDOWNTOWN (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47D1
Tail NumberN2202C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · O-335-5D · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 28 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data