# NTSB ATL83LA354: Bell 47G, N88754, Charleston, WV, September 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1983, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.370395, -81.559669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3704&lon=-81.5597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA354
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA354

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER SETTLED AFTER TAKEOFF AND ROLLED OVER AFTER TOUCHING DOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN. ONE OF THE TWO PILOTS ABOARD WAS BEING TRANSPORTED TO RECEIVE A PRIVATE RATING IN HELICOPTERS. HE HAD BEEN ENDORSED FOR SOLO IN THE BELL 47 AND HAD FLOWN THE BELL 47 LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR. HE HAD FLOWN ONLY 1 PLUS HOURS IN THE LAST 90 DAYS NONE OF WHICH WAS IN HELICOPTERS. NEITHER PILOT REMEMBERS WHAT THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS REGISTERED AFTER TRANSITIONING TO FWD FLT. BOTH PILOTS 'PULLED COLLECTIVE' WHEN SETTLING BEGAN. THE ACFT WAS BEYOND THE RWYS END OVER SLOPING TERRAIN AS IT SETTLED. NO ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88754](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88754), registered now, S/N 601, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 601
- Airframe hours: 4398
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-200 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Executive Air Terminal, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRW
- Destination: BKW, BECKLEY, WV
- Airport: CRW, Kanawha, runway 15, 4,750 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 554 total, 429 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW

## 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 19830907048949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830907048949A), Sep 7, 1983: Bell 47G, Charleston, WV, Substantial damage. Lost rotor RPM after entering transitional lift on takeoff. Settled to a hard landing. Neither pilot qualified PIC

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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