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NTSB Report
April 25, 1987 · Bell 47D1 · N3575
Ardmore, OK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ardmore, OK
Aircraft
Bell 47D1
Tail Number
N3575
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87LA107
THE PILOT REPORTEDLY HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATION TO LANDING. TOUCHDOWN WAS ON UNEVEN TERRAIN AND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THIS RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY BEING CHOPPED OFF THE TAIL BOOM BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. AFTER RECOVERY THE OWNER/OPERATOR STATED HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN A HARD LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TAIL BOOM AND CHOPPING IT IN TWO.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTEDLY HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATION TO LANDING. TOUCHDOWN WAS ON UNEVEN TERRAIN AND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THIS RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY BEING CHOPPED OFF THE TAIL BOOM BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. AFTER RECOVERY THE OWNER/OPERATOR STATED HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN A HARD LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TAIL BOOM AND CHOPPING IT IN TWO.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport10nm SSE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47D1
Tail NumberN3575
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · O-335-5D · Reciprocating · 165
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO