# NTSB BFO89LA045: Bell 47G-2, N2487B, Moundsville, WV, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Moundsville, WV
- Coordinates: 39.919773, -80.740371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9198&lon=-80.7404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTIAN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND OBSTACLE CLEARANCE WHILE HOVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. A TAIL ROTOR BLADE STRUCK AN OBSTACLE CAUSING AN OVERLOAD SEPARATION FAILURE OF THE BLADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - object - other
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - overload (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS HOVERING THE ACFT ABOUT 3 FT AGL OVER A FIELD IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRY OFF THE FIELD WITH THE ROTOR WASH. THE FIELD WAS TO BE USED FOR AN OUTDOOR CONCERT. THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING THE ACFT BETWEEN BARRELS WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY BACKED INTO ONE. THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE BARREL AND A BLADE WAS SEVERED. THE ACFT SPUN AROUND, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER. THE PLT RECEIVED A ROTORCRAFT RATING EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT STATED HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2487B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2487B-1998-01-06), registration cancelled 1998-01-06, S/N 1499 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1499
- Airframe hours: 6139
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Board
- Registered owner: Equip-Lease Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1988, 57 hours before
- Departed: 74D
- Airport: 74D, Marshall County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,954 total, 75 in this make and model, 4,049 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PKB, 45 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 19890617015949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617015949A), Jun 17, 1989: Bell 47G2, Moundsville, WV, Destroyed. Tail rotor struck a trash barrel while in a prolonged low hover to dry out grass area.

## Other investigations on N2487B (1)

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 MIA67A0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67A0086), Feb 19, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N2487B), Ft.Lauderdale, FL, 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.