# NTSB ATL92LA017: Bell 47D-1, N925V, Rome, GA, October 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1991, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Rome, GA
- Coordinates: 34.259059, -85.180786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2591&lon=-85.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 59-05-10 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA017

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF A TAIL ROTOR BLADE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED TWO TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND DURING THE THIRD TAKEOFF FOR ANOTHER APPROACH THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FELT A THUMP IN THE AIRFRAME. IMMEDIATELY, HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLIES WERE MISSING. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR BOTH ASSEMBLIES WERE RECOVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY, HOWEVER THE NTSB WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECOVERY. THE DAMAGED COMPONENTS WERE EXAMINED BY THE OPERATOR AND DESTROYED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, ONE ROTOR BLADE FAILED IN THE VICINITY WHERE AD 59-05-10 APPLIED; THE AD REQUIRED A DAILY INSPECTION OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR CRACKS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AN INSPECTION OF THE BLADES HAD BEEN COMPLETED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N925V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N925V-2006-09-20), registration cancelled 2006-09-20, S/N 643, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 643
- Airframe hours: 3979
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6VS-335-50 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Silver Hawk Aviation
- Registered owner: Steele, Douglas D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1991, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,990 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,770 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 40 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 19911028048259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911028048259A), Oct 28, 1991: Bell 47D1, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor gear box separated from helicopter. Auto rotated safely. Tail rotor blade separated tearing off gearbox.

## Other investigations on N925V (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 MKC77FCG24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FCG24), May 24, 1977: Bell 47D (N925V), Mt.Vernon, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73DPG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPG34), Sep 20, 1972: Bell 47D (N925V), Plumerville, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC69D0001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0001), Jun 4, 1968: Bell 47D1 (N925V), Mt Morris, NY, destroyed
- [NTSB NYC67A0162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0162), May 17, 1967: Bell 47D1 (N925V), Milford Square, PA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.