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NTSB Report

March 30, 2014 · Bell 47G 3B · N147WT

Oglesby, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oglesby, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G 3B (1964)
Tail Number
N147WT
Operator
Lazy 7 Agricultural Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA174

The pilot reported that, during an en route climb in the helicopter, he increased the throttle and noticed a "slight resistance." Shortly after, the throttle freed up, but it was ineffective; there was no corresponding change in engine power when he moved the throttle control. Both the engine and rotor rpm were indicating in the green, but they began to decrease when he adjusted the collective. When he stopped moving the collective, the engine and rotor rpm increased rapidly and continued to accelerate. The pilot initiated an autorotation and cut off the fuel. The pilot then increased the collective, and the helicopter yawed left, touched down, and rolled over to the right, which resulted in the tailboom separating. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the throttle control adapter had disconnected from the serrated shaft on the carburetor. The retention screws on the throttle control adapter were not safety wired to the carburetor idle stop lever as required in the helicopter manufacturer's maintenance manual. A review of maintenance records revealed that the carburetor was removed and replaced about 1 1/2 years before the accident and that the helicopter's last annual inspection was conducted about 4 1/4 months before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to safety wire the throttle control adapter per maintenance instructions when the carburetor was replaced and to detect that the adapter was not safety wired during the annual inspection, which resulted in the throttle control disconnecting and subsequent loss of engine control.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 2014, about 1130 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B helicopter, N147WT, rolled over during an autorotation near Oglesby, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Lazy 7 Agricultural Services LLC as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Gatesville Municipal Airport (GOP), Gatesville, Texas at 1100. The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to spot wildlife. He stated that during the flight he initiated a climb to transit from one area to another. As he increased the throttle he noticed a "slight resistance." Shortly thereafter, the throttle freed up, but there was no response to the throttle movements. The pilot stated that both the engine and rotor rpm were indicating in the green, but the rotor and engine rpm decayed when he increased the collective. When he stopped increasing the collective, the rotor and engine rpm increased rapidly and continued to accelerate. The pilot initiated an autorotation, during which time he cutoff the fuel. During the final collective application to cushion the landing, the helicopter suddenly yawed to the left and simultaneously rolled to the right on touchdown. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the throttle control adapter had disconnected from the serrated shaft on the carburetor. The retention screws on the throttle control adapter were not safety wired to the carburetor idle stop lever as required in the Bell Helicopter maintenance manual. Service Bulletin 131SB was issued on December 2, 1960, which addressed the reworking the adapter screw holes and safety wiring of the adapter to the carburetor idle stop lever. This Service Bulletin addressed the Bell 47G-2 and 47J-2 models. The maintenance manual for the 47G-3B was later revised to reflect the information in the Service Bulletin. Maintenance records show the carburetor was removed and replaced on September 25, 2012, and the last annual inspection was performed November 11, 2013.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G 3B
Tail NumberN147WT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLazy 7 Agricultural Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 15 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data