# NTSB BFO90LA042: Bell 47D, N4229A, Baltimore, MD, May 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1990, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.390674, -76.479957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3907&lon=-76.4800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE CYCLIC CONTROL, CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO FLEX AND SEVERE THE TAIL CONE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - sheared
  - aircraft control - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER TOUCH DOWN, AS THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE HELICOPTER SLOWED, HE NOTICED THE HELICOPTER PITCHED SLIGHTLY DOWN. THE PLT STATED HE INSTINCTIVELY APPLIED AFT CYCLIC PRESSURE, CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO FLEX DOWN AND SEVERE THE TAIL CONE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4229A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4229A-2026-02-02), registration cancelled 2026-02-02, S/N 001, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D
- 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: 001
- Airframe hours: 2514
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jesse G. Hadaway
- Registered owner: Rotorcrafter'S Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 8, 1990, 79 hours before
- Airport: W48, Essex Skypark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,878 total, 114 in this make and model, 2,676 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI

## 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 19900513015869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900513015869A), May 13, 1990: Bell 47D1, Baltimore, MD, Substantial damage. Rocked forward on skids at touchdown from practice autorotation. Main rotors flexed down and chopped tailboom.

## Other investigations on N4229A (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 FTW70FRG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70FRG10), Feb 14, 1970: Bell 47D1 (N4229A), Randolph Afb, TX, 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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