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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 19, 2005 · Bell 47G-5A · N59403

Brush, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Brush, CO
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5A
Tail Number
N59403
Operator
Joel Marwitz
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05CA078

The pilot reported that during takeoff, the right rear skid of the helicopter caught on a nearby truck trailer fender. The helicopter nosed over, bounced hard, then spun around colliding with the truck trailer and the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the helicopter's main rotor was bent, the tail boom was bent downward, the short shaft was broken, the main frame was bent, and the Plexiglas canopy was broken. The pilot stated that it was a "nice day," the winds were "dead calm," and that there was "nothing wrong with the machine." An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the truck trailer during takeoff. A factor contributing to this accident was the truck trailer.

Full Narrative

On May 18, 2005, approximately 1930 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-5A helicopter, N59403, was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck trailer and terrain during takeoff from a farm 5 -1/2 miles south of Brush, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local, personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of CFR 14 Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot, the sole person on board, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that during takeoff, the right rear skid caught on a nearby truck trailer fender. The helicopter nosed over, bounced hard, then spun around colliding with the truck trailer and the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the helicopter's main rotor was bent, the tail boom was bent downward, the short shaft was broken, the main frame was bent, and the Plexiglas canopy was broken. The pilot stated that it was a "nice day," the winds were "dead calm," and that there was "nothing wrong with the machine." An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-5A
Tail NumberN59403
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoel Marwitz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-768-BIA · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data