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NTSB Report
July 16, 1985 · Bell 47G-5 · N8197J
Crane, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Crane, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5
Tail Number
N8197J
Operator
Lloyd L Davis Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA288
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM A FLAT BED TRAILER. THE PLT STATED HE HAD LIFTED TO A 3 FOOT HOVER WHEN THE ENG STOPPED. THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY ROTATED ABOUT 45 DEGS BEFORE HE COULD STOP IT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION TOUCHDOWN BUT WAS STILL PARTIALLY OVER THE TRAILER. THE REAR PORTION OF THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE EDGE OF THE TRAILER, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND WHICH RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE HELICOPTER AS THEY CONTINUED TO ROTATE. THE CAUSE OF THE ENG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM A FLAT BED TRAILER. THE PLT STATED HE HAD LIFTED TO A 3 FOOT HOVER WHEN THE ENG STOPPED. THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY ROTATED ABOUT 45 DEGS BEFORE HE COULD STOP IT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION TOUCHDOWN BUT WAS STILL PARTIALLY OVER THE TRAILER. THE REAR PORTION OF THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE EDGE OF THE TRAILER, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND WHICH RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE HELICOPTER AS THEY CONTINUED TO ROTATE. THE CAUSE OF THE ENG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 CDT
Nearest AirportCRANE (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-5
Tail NumberN8197J
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLloyd L Davis Jr
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO