GOBERNADOR, NM, USA
N7863S
BELL 47G-3B1
THE COMMERICAL PLT WAS HOVERING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT 40 FEET AGL. DURING A MANEUVER HE REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG AND THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. THE PLT MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT. A POST ACCIDENT TRANSMISSION TEAR DOWN REVEALED THAT THE LOCKING ROLLERS IN THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD WORN BEYOND TOLERANCE, ALLOWING THE MAIN ROTOR TO BECOME AND REMAIN DISENGAGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports