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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 19, 2001 · Bell 47G-2 · N840WA

Jeffersonville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 2001
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Jeffersonville, IN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N840WA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA008

The helicopter was damaged when it impacted the ground and burned while hovering. The helicopter was piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI) and dual student. The student was the holder of a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating. In a written report, the dual student said that he raised the helicopter up to a hover and rotated 90 degrees with the helicopter facing downwind. He said that the helicopter seemed somewhat unstable in the gusty tailwind. He said that the helicopter came up in the front and then he felt a vibration in the tail. He said that the helicopter turned and the left skid impacted the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. In a written report, the CFI said that, after a rudder turn when the helicopter was facing downwind, the student, "...very abruptly pitched the nose up reacting to the wind behind him. The abrupt pitch attitude allowed the tail to strike the ground." The CFI said that the aircraft was uncontrollable at that point and ultimately rolled onto its left side. A weather reporting station located about 9 miles and 157 degrees from the accident site recorded the winds as 10 knots gusting to 18 knots from 230 degrees at 1553. No anomalies were found with respect to the helicopter and none were reported.

NTSB Probable Cause

The dual student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain, and the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor. A factor was the gusty wind condition.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 2001, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N840WA, piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI) and dual student, was substantially damaged on impact with terrain and subsequent fire while hovering at the Clark County Airport, Jeffersonville, Indiana. The student was the holder of a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The CFI and student received minor injuries. The local flight originated at 1540. In a written report, the dual student said that they were practicing rudder turns. He said that he raised up to a hover, rotated 90 degrees and then set the helicopter back down on the ground. He said he then raised up to a hover again and rotated 90 degrees with the helicopter facing downwind. He said that the helicopter seemed somewhat unstable in the gusty tailwind. He said that the helicopter came up in the front and then he felt a vibration in the tail. He said that the helicopter turned and the left skid impacted the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. In a written report, the CFI said that, after a rudder turn when the helicopter was facing downwind, the student, "...very abruptly pitched the nose up reacting to the wind behind him. The abrupt pitch attitude allowed the tail to strike the ground." The CFI said that the aircraft was uncontrollable at that point and ultimately rolled onto its left side. A weather reporting station located about 9 miles and 157 degrees from the accident site recorded the winds as 10 knots gusting to 18 knots from 230 degrees at 1553. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. The report filed by the CFI listed no mechanical malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportClark County (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN840WA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 40 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data