# NTSB ANC83LA035: Bell 47G-2, N2822B, Anchorage, AK, January 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1983, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220222, -149.849029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2202&lon=-149.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA035

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A LANDING DURING WHICH THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED. THIS WAS A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND ACCORDINGTO THE INSTRUCTOR, A HIGH RECONNAISSANCE WAS PERFORMED BEFORE SELECTING THEIR APPROACH TO THE PINNACLE. THE PINNACLE IS A 3000 FOOT LANDING AREA UNOBSTRUCTED FOR 360 DEGREES AROUND THE PINNACLE AND IS WIDELY USED BY HELICOPTER OPERATORS FORPINNACLE PRACTICE. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE NORMALLY WOULD NOT DO PINNACLE WORK WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL. BECAUSE THE STUDENT WAS READY FOR A CHECKRIDE, EXCEPT FOR THE PINNACLE WORK, THE IP ELECTED TO DO IT IMMEDIATELY. HE SELECTED ANAPPROACH TO THE WEST BECAUSE HE SAID HE SAW NO BLOWING SNOW. AT 20 FEET AGL HE NOTED HIGH SINK RATE AND HE ADDED POWER AS HE TOOK CONTROL, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SETTLE WITH POWER. THE ACFT HIT HARD IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AND THE TAILBOOM WAS SEVERED. INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED BLOWING SNOW WHICH INDICATED A WIND FROM THE EAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2822B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2822B), registered now, S/N 1470, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1470
- Airframe hours: 6832
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wilburs Flight Operations
- Registered owner: Wilburs Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 1982, 87 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 691 total, 45 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830119001209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830119001209A), Jan 19, 1983: Bell 47G2, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Hard practice landing on a snowy pinnacle for practice. Impact severed tail boom. Student allowed RPM decay.

## Other investigations on N2822B (2)

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 ANC74AA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA069), Apr 23, 1974: Bell 47G-2 (N2822B), Seward, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC70D0037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70D0037), Aug 29, 1969: Bell 47G-2 (N2822B), Cordova, AK, substantial damage

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.

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