# NTSB ATL83FA122: Bell 47G-2, N5191B, Hardeeville, SC, February 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1983, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Hardeeville, SC
- Coordinates: 32.269695, -81.069587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2697&lon=-81.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - overtemperature (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - worn (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - reduced (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A PECULIAR PEDAL REACTION DURING A TURN-AROUND; HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WIND WHICH WAS GUSTING TO 15 KTS. SHORTLY AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN-AROUND, HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE FAILURE WAS REALIZED BY A REDUCTION OF NOISE, AN RPM INCREASE & AYAW TO THE RIGHT. THIS OCCURRED AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 300 FT AGL. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IN FLT, SO HE AUTOROTATED TO A NARROW LOGGING ROAD. WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK TREES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD. DURING TOUCHDOWN. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK & SVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TEETH ON THE FORWARD (SHORT) TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, PN 47-644-180-9, WERE WORN & OVERHEATED. ALSO, THE MATCHING SPLINES ON THE FRONT COUPLING, PN 47-620-494-3, WERE OVERHEATED & STRIPPED. ONLY A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATION WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT COUPLING. THE BELL MAINTENANCE & OVERHAUL INSTRUCTIONS RECOMMENDED DAILY INSPECTIONS & LUBE EVERY 50 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5191B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2176
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: J. D. Turner, Atlanta Helicop.
- Registered owner: Jack D. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1982, 124 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,540 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,496 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19830226005459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830226005459A), Feb 26, 1983: Bell 47G2, Hardeeville, SC, Substantial damage. Tail rotor driveshaft coupling failed during fire bombing. Autorotated into trees. Coupling lacked lubrication.

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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