PANAMA CITY, FL, USA
N3628G
BELL 47G
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STARTED TO TAKE OFF WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF ROTOR RPM & OBSERVED A FENCE, JUST AHEAD. COLLECTIVE WAS INCREASED TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLE, THEN A RUN-ON LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE RIGHT FRONT SKID HIT A SMALL BUSH, THEN THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT & COLLIDED WITH A LARGE ROCK COVERED WITH SAND, AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. REVIEW OF WEATHER INFORMATION REVEALED NO RECORD OF TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, GUSTS, OR WINDSHEAR.
On June 19, 1993, at about 1119 central daylight time, a Bell 47G, N3628G, registered to Dane H. Harris, Jr., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, crashed on initial takeoff climb. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private heliport about 1 minute before the accident. The pilot stated in an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was conducting a takeoff with a quartering tailwind. At about 50 feet agl he encountered a downdraft and the rotor rpm began to deteriorate. He lowered the collective pitch to compensate for the loss of rotor rpm and observed a fence to his immediate front. Collective pitch was increased to clear the obstacle and a running landing was attempted to the sand. The helicopter's left skid collided with a pine tree and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The investigation continues.
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER TO ATTAIN EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FENCE & TERRAIN CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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