ALLEN, TX, USA
N74124
BELL 47-D1
THE NON-RATED, PRIVATE AIRPLANE PILOT WAS FLYING HIS HELICOPTER IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND PRACTICING POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATIONS, WHEN ON THE THIRD OR FOURTH ATTEMPT, THE PILOT/OWNER FLARED EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM SEPARATED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM AND AIRFRAME.
UNQUALIFIED PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN LEVELING THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FLARE AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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