WASSAIC, NY, USA
N13766
BELL 47G
THE BELL 47G HELICOPTER WAS ON A AERIAL SURVEY OF BURIED TELEPHONE CABLE WHEN THE RED MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE BLADE GRIPS IN FLIGHT. THE MAIN ROTOR HUB WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THAT THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED A BLADE STRIKE. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED MAIN ROTOR BLADE DISCLOSED THAT THE BLADE HAD RECEIVED A BLADE STRIKE SOME YEARS BEFORE, WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. THERE WAS A LARGE GAP NEAR THE BLADE GRIPS THAT HAD BEEN FILLED WITH EPOXY. BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS WERE DETERMINED TO NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BELL 47 MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL MANUAL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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