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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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September 6, 1987 · Bell 47G3B1 · N38CD

Enterprise, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Enterprise, AL
Aircraft
Bell 47G3B1
Tail Number
N38CD
Operator
Al Avn & Technical College
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA249

DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT DELAYED IN APPLING POWER TO ARREST THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE OTHER PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AUTOROTATION PROFILE WAS WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. THERE WERE NO REPORTED AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FLIGHT CREW FROM A POWER RECOVERY. BOTH PILOTS WERE QUALIFIED CURRENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS.

Full Narrative

DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT DELAYED IN APPLING POWER TO ARREST THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE OTHER PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AUTOROTATION PROFILE WAS WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. THERE WERE NO REPORTED AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FLIGHT CREW FROM A POWER RECOVERY. BOTH PILOTS WERE QUALIFIED CURRENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 CDT
Nearest AirportEnterprise Airport (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G3B1
Tail NumberN38CD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAl Avn & Technical College
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 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data