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NTSB Report
May 15, 1983 · Bell 47G · N739B
Zachary, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Zachary, LA
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N739B
Operator
James T Lewis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83FA232
THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT DURING PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN RAPIDLY AND NOSE DOWN. INCREASING THE POWER BROUGHT THE NOSE UP BUT INCREASED THE SPEED OF ROTATION. THE ACFT HIT ON ONE SKID STILL IN A RAPID SPIN. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE WRECKAGE AND CRAWL AWAY. THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX WAS FOUND 100 YDS AWAY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GEARBOX STUDS HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE.
Full Narrative
THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT DURING PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN RAPIDLY AND NOSE DOWN. INCREASING THE POWER BROUGHT THE NOSE UP BUT INCREASED THE SPEED OF ROTATION. THE ACFT HIT ON ONE SKID STILL IN A RAPID SPIN. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE WRECKAGE AND CRAWL AWAY. THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX WAS FOUND 100 YDS AWAY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GEARBOX STUDS HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN739B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames T Lewis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V4 · Reciprocating · 240
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:50