# Accident 19991127047829A: Bell 47G, Coudersport, PA, November 27, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 27, 1999, 16:15 local time
- Place: Coudersport, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.7707° N, 78.0093° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7707&lon=-78.0093&mi=10
- Aircraft: N940B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N940B-2013-09-11) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G (registry code 1181002, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6V4 series (registry code 27033, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Reported engine: FRNKLN 6V335A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 156 total, 76 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC00LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA044) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991127047829A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT ATTEMPTED TAKE-OFF FROM CONFINED AREA SURROUNDED BY TREES WITH FULL THROTTLE AND BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE RPM. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO MAINTAIN HIS ENGINE RPM AT 3100 RPM, BUT HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO PINE TREE AFTER FLARE TO SLOW FORWARD AIRSPEED. (.4) THE PILOT WITH A PASSENGER, LANDED THE HELICOPTER IN A CLEARING THAT WAS ABOUT 40 FEET WIDE, BY 150 FEET LONG, AND SURROUNDED BY 'VERY TALL TREES.' THE PILOT SAID HE MADE A NORMAL RUN-UP AND LIFTED THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER. HE USED FULL THROTTLE AND MAINTAINED 3,100 RPM. WHEN THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, AT ABOUT 12-15 KNOTS, THE RPM DROPPED TO 3,000 AND THE PILOT LOWERED COLLECTIVE TO KEEP THE RPM FROM DROPPING FURTHER. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED A PINE TREE ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 1,800 FEET MS. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER'S AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS WITH-IN IT'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWE                                       R AVAILABLE TO CLIMB AND HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER LANDED IN THE CLEARING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC00LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA044), Nov 27, 1999: Bell 47G (N940B), Coudersport, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight planning and decision to attempt a takeoff with the passenger from the confined area.

## Other reports on N940B (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19790617022139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790617022139I), Jun 17, 1979: Bell 47G (N940B), Tolland, CT, Minor damage. As collective was lowered, rear landing gear cross tube broke at both sides of the fuselage.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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