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NTSB Report
March 19, 1987 · Bell 47G · N13766
Wassaic, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Wassaic, NY
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N13766
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA114
THE BELL 47G HELICOPTER WAS ON A AERIAL SURVEY OF BURIED TELEPHONE CABLE WHEN THE RED MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE BLADE GRIPS IN FLIGHT. THE MAIN ROTOR HUB WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THAT THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED A BLADE STRIKE. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED MAIN ROTOR BLADE DISCLOSED THAT THE BLADE HAD RECEIVED A BLADE STRIKE SOME YEARS BEFORE, WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. THERE WAS A LARGE GAP NEAR THE BLADE GRIPS THAT HAD BEEN FILLED WITH EPOXY. BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS WERE DETERMINED TO NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BELL 47 MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL MANUAL.
Full Narrative
THE BELL 47G HELICOPTER WAS ON A AERIAL SURVEY OF BURIED TELEPHONE CABLE WHEN THE RED MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE BLADE GRIPS IN FLIGHT. THE MAIN ROTOR HUB WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THAT THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED A BLADE STRIKE. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED MAIN ROTOR BLADE DISCLOSED THAT THE BLADE HAD RECEIVED A BLADE STRIKE SOME YEARS BEFORE, WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. THERE WAS A LARGE GAP NEAR THE BLADE GRIPS THAT HAD BEEN FILLED WITH EPOXY. BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS WERE DETERMINED TO NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BELL 47 MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL MANUAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN13766
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V335-A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT