The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Marana, Arizona
Accident Number: WPR21LA077
Date and Time: January 1, 2021, 13:15 Local
Registration: N74823
Aircraft: Bell 47D
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, while hover taxing on the taxiway, a Cessna airplane taxied from the ramp onto the same taxiway and turned toward and approached the helicopter. The helicopter pilot assumed that the Cessna would turn onto another taxiway toward the runway, however the Cessna continued toward the helicopter. The helicopter pilot stated that he went into a vertical lift, but "due to low rotor RPM the helicopter went into a loss of control spin". The helicopter landed hard to the left of the taxiway, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control, which resulted in a hard landing.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Yaw control - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Taxi Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 1, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 30, 2020
Flight Time: 2400 hours (Total, all aircraft), 32 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N74823
Model/Series: 47D 1
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 270
Landing Gear Type: None; Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 24, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2350 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 7526 Hrs
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAVQ, 2032 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18.3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Tucson, AZ (KRYN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marana, AZ
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 08:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: MARANA RGNL KAVQ
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 2032 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 32.409556,-111.21838
Registration. 12-May-2021 SNYDER GEORGE W, TUCSON AZ
ReplyDeleteCertificate Issue Date 2021-05-12