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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 22, 1982 · Bell 47G-2A · N73205

Washington, IA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Washington, IA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A
Tail Number
N73205
Operator
Washington Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC82DA151

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING AIR TAXIED TO THE REFUELING LOCATION WHEN IT CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LIFTED OFF AND WAS ABOUT 6 FT AGL WITH ABOUT 20 KTS FORWARD SPEED WHEN HE SUDDENLY FELT A SNAP AND THE CYCLIC WENT FULL LEFT. THE HELICOPTER BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND FLEW INTO THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A BOLT, PN 20-057-4-16D, USED TO SECURE THE LATERAL SERVO TO THE AIRFRAME, WAS NOT IN PLACE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING AIR TAXIED TO THE REFUELING LOCATION WHEN IT CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LIFTED OFF AND WAS ABOUT 6 FT AGL WITH ABOUT 20 KTS FORWARD SPEED WHEN HE SUDDENLY FELT A SNAP AND THE CYCLIC WENT FULL LEFT. THE HELICOPTER BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND FLEW INTO THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A BOLT, PN 20-057-4-16D, USED TO SECURE THE LATERAL SERVO TO THE AIRFRAME, WAS NOT IN PLACE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CDT
Nearest AirportWashington Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2A
Tail NumberN73205
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWashington Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 240
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data