SHELBYVILLE, TN, USA
N908B
BELL 47
INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION. DURING A PROCEDURE TURN AROUND THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE & ENGINE RPM EXCEEDED ROTOR RPM. THE PILOT REDUCED THE THROTTLE & TRIED TO ENTER AN AUTOROTATION. ROTOR RPM HAD DECAYED & A HARD LANDING RESULTED. MOST PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF ROTOR RPM WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE ENGINE & THE MAIN ROTOR FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.
FAILURE IN THE ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO PERFORM AN AUTOROTATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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