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December 24, 1983 · Bell 47G-2A-1 · N124CD

Hughes, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Hughes, AR
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A-1
Tail Number
N124CD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW84FA102

THE PLT & OBSERVER WERE ON A FLT TO RESCUE 2 DUCK HUNTERS, STRANDED IN A BOAT THAT BECAME STUCK IN ICE, 500 TO 600 FT FROM SHORE. AFTER REMOVING THE RGT DOOR, THEY PLANNED TO PICK UP 1 HUNTER AT A TIME ON THE RGT SKID WHILE THE OBSERVER HELD ONTO HIM THRU THE OPEN DOOR. AFTER CIRCLING IN GUSTY WINDS, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO HOVER AT THE BOW OF THE BOAT. AS THE 1ST HUNTER CLIMBED ONTO THE RGT SKID, THE HELICOPTER BANKED TO THE RGT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, ENTERED A SPIN TO THE RGT.HOWEVER, THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL & CONTINUED TO THE LANDING AREA WHILE REMAINING IN A CONSTANT RGT TURN. AS HE ENTERED A 5 FT HOVER TO LAND, THE ACFT PITCHED FORWARD. THE PLT PULLED THE COLLECTIVE TO GAIN ALT, BUT THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT ROLL & TURN, AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK SEVERAL TREES & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CG EXCEEDED THE FORWARD LIMIT BY .33 INCHES & THE RIGHT CG LIMIT BY 5.2 INCHES. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR LATERAL LOADS & NO LATERAL CG LIMITS WERE LISTED IN THE FLT MANUAL. THOSE EQUIPPED FOR LITTERS (LATERAL LOADS) WERE RIGGED WITH ADDITIONAL CYCLIC CTL.

Full Narrative

THE PLT & OBSERVER WERE ON A FLT TO RESCUE 2 DUCK HUNTERS, STRANDED IN A BOAT THAT BECAME STUCK IN ICE, 500 TO 600 FT FROM SHORE. AFTER REMOVING THE RGT DOOR, THEY PLANNED TO PICK UP 1 HUNTER AT A TIME ON THE RGT SKID WHILE THE OBSERVER HELD ONTO HIM THRU THE OPEN DOOR. AFTER CIRCLING IN GUSTY WINDS, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO HOVER AT THE BOW OF THE BOAT. AS THE 1ST HUNTER CLIMBED ONTO THE RGT SKID, THE HELICOPTER BANKED TO THE RGT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, ENTERED A SPIN TO THE RGT.HOWEVER, THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL & CONTINUED TO THE LANDING AREA WHILE REMAINING IN A CONSTANT RGT TURN. AS HE ENTERED A 5 FT HOVER TO LAND, THE ACFT PITCHED FORWARD. THE PLT PULLED THE COLLECTIVE TO GAIN ALT, BUT THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT ROLL & TURN, AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK SEVERAL TREES & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CG EXCEEDED THE FORWARD LIMIT BY .33 INCHES & THE RIGHT CG LIMIT BY 5.2 INCHES. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR LATERAL LOADS & NO LATERAL CG LIMITS WERE LISTED IN THE FLT MANUAL. THOSE EQUIPPED FOR LITTERS (LATERAL LOADS) WERE RIGGED WITH ADDITIONAL CYCLIC CTL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:38 CST
Nearest Airport10nm W
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2A-1
Tail NumberN124CD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 · Turboshaft
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data