The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada
Location: Fallon, Nevada
Accident Number: WPR22LA096
Date and Time: February 11, 2022, 14:30 Local
Registration: N1023V
Aircraft: Bell 47 Aircraft
Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, while hovering in front of a hangar he erroneously increased collective pitch, panicked, and lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter subsequently impacted the top of a hanger and rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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 control of the helicopter during a hover which, resulted in a collision with a hangar.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Airport structure - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-hover Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 84, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: None
Without waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: November 4, 2013
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: February 16, 2022
Flight Time: 11000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N1023V
Model/Series: 47 G2
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2021
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 4, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 5.2 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12359 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: VO435A1F
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 260 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KNFL,3934 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:00 Local
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:
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: 30.36 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -25°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fallon, NV
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fallon, NV
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Fallon Municipal FLX
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 3929 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Straight-in; Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.499169,-118.74879
The most honest guy to ever write an accident report! I hope he is ok and continues to fly.
ReplyDelete