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NTSB Report
September 21, 1985 · Bell 47G-2 · N2874B
Watsonville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watsonville, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N2874B
Operator
Helicair Ag
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA400
DURING AN AG FLT, AT ABT 5 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE ENG OVERSPED, & ALL PWR TO THE ROTOR BLADES WAS LOST. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO IMMEDIATELY LAND IN THE UNDERLYING FIELD, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/AIRSPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN & SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE CLUTCH REVEALED THAT POOR CONTACT WAS BEING MADE BETWEEN THE SHOES & DRUM. EXAM OF THE FREE WHEELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED NUMEROUS ROLLERS WHICH WOULD NOT LOCK. IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH COMPONENTS'S FAILURE WAS PRIMARY.
Full Narrative
DURING AN AG FLT, AT ABT 5 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE ENG OVERSPED, & ALL PWR TO THE ROTOR BLADES WAS LOST. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO IMMEDIATELY LAND IN THE UNDERLYING FIELD, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/AIRSPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN & SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE CLUTCH REVEALED THAT POOR CONTACT WAS BEING MADE BETWEEN THE SHOES & DRUM. EXAM OF THE FREE WHEELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED NUMEROUS ROLLERS WHICH WOULD NOT LOCK. IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH COMPONENTS'S FAILURE WAS PRIMARY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN2874B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicair Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO