# NTSB ATL99LA036: Bell 47G-3B-2, N123NM, Murfreesboro, TN, December 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 1998, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Coordinates: 35.780776, -86.33039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7808&lon=-86.3304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45507/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare and his diverted attention, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - cut/severed - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot had completed a local photographic flight, and was returning to the airport to refuel. While on short final to land, about five feet above the ground, the pilot's flight chart slipped off his right leg, and he was momentarily distracted while looking down to retrieve the chart. The pilot reported that the helicopter struck the ground in a level attitude on the skids. The passenger described the touchdown as 'abnormally hard'. The pilot said when he went to reposition the helicopter for refueling, he had no tail rotor pedal control. He then proceeded to shut the helicopter down. An examination of the helicopter disclosed that the tail boom assembly had been severed, and there was damage to the trailing edge of one of the main rotor blades. No mechanical problems with the helicopter were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 1998, about 1500 central standard time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 helicopter, N123NM, collided with the ground during a landing on runway 36 at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The helicopter was operated by Photo Data Services LLC, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local aerial survey flight. There were no injuries to the commercial helicopter pilot nor the photographer. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight had originated from the Murfreesboro Airport about 1400, on the same day. The pilot had completed a local photographic flight, and was returning to the airport to refuel. While on short final to land, about five feet above the ground, the pilot's flight chart slipped off his right leg, and he was momentarily distracted while looking down to retrieve the chart. The pilot reported that the helicopter struck the ground in a level attitude on the skids. The passenger described the touchdown as "abnormally hard". The pilot said when he went to reposition the helicopter for refueling, he had no tail rotor pedal control. He then proceeded to shut the helicopter down. An examination of the helicopter disclosed that the tail boom assembly had been severed, and there was damage to the trailing edge of one of the main rotor blades. No mechanical problems with the helicopter were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N123NM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N123NM), registered now, S/N 6702 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6702 - Airframe hours: 8514 - Engines: Allison CAE C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Photo Data Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, November 6, 1998, 176 hours before - Departed: MBT - Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Municipal, runway 36, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,813 total, 149 in this make and model, 1,615 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MBT ## 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 19981230034399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981230034399A), Dec 30, 1998: Bell 47G3B2, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. Bell 47G-3B-A helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor sheared the tail boom. (-23) pilot impacted runway 36 at mbt from a 5 foot hover/taxi on landing.… 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.