# NTSB ATL90LA030: Bell 47G-3B1, N1358X, Ewell, AL, November 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ewell, AL
- Coordinates: 31.429742, -85.639266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4297&lon=-85.6393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA030

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE DEMONSTRATED AUTOROTATION SO AS TO PRECLUDE AN ACCIDENT, IN THE EVENT THAT POWER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE RATED PILOT HAD ATTEMPTED A PRACTICE 180 DEGREE AUTOROTATION. IT WAS ABORTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR BECAUSE OF IMPROPER LINE UP BY THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION. A SECOND AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR TO DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURE. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND TO AN ATTEMPTED POWER RECOVERY. HE ADDED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO AVOID TREES AND REACHED AN OPEN FIELD WITH LOW ROTOR RPM. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. LATER EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY DISCREPANCIES WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1358X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1358X-2017-07-13), registration cancelled 2017-07-13, S/N 6569, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6569
- Airframe hours: 3717
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1B 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1989
- Departed: 71J, OZARK, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,853 total, 48 in this make and model, 2,784 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 5 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 19891125046619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125046619A), Nov 25, 1989: Bell 47G3B1, Ewell, AL, Destroyed. Reported engine failed respond on pratice autorotation. Crash landed.

## Other investigations on N1358X (4)

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 LAX78DUJ67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DUJ67), Jun 11, 1978: Bell 47G3B1 (N1358X), Whiteriver, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX76AL009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76AL009), Aug 5, 1975: Bell 47G3B1 (N1358X), Mt.Baldy, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK76DXQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DXQ05), Jul 8, 1975: Bell 47G3B1 (N1358X), Mommoth Lakes, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX71DUJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71DUJ06), Jul 13, 1970: Bell 47G3B1 (N1358X), Elfrida, AZ, 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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