# Accident 20151102019619A: Bell 407, San Antonio, TX, November 2, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 2, 2015, 19:23 local time
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Airport: San Antonio
- Damage: No damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: EVAC
- Location: 29.5339° N, 98.4692° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5339&lon=-98.4692&mi=10
- Aircraft: N496AE, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N496AE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C47 series (registry code 03029, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Reported engine: ROLLS ROYCE 250-C47B
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 167 total, 70 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN16LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA027) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151102019619A

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 2, 2015 A BELL HELICOPTER (OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR PART 135 HELICOPTER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (HEMS), STARTED LIFTING TO A 3 TO 4 FEET HOVER, WHEN PIC HEARD A POP AND A HIGH PITCH WHINE.  AIRCRAFT SPUN ONE FULL ROTATION AT 3 FEET AGL.  PIC LOWERED AIRCRAFT TO A FULL STOP.  THREE CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD,  THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED.

## 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 CEN16LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA027), Nov 3, 2015: Bell 407 (N496AE), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a requirement to inspect the tail rotor assembly for…

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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