# NTSB BFO92LA047: Bell 47G-2, N2831B, Pikeville, KY, March 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1992, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Pikeville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.469623, -82.509086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4696&lon=-82.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA047

## Probable cause

DELAMINATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A MAIN ROTOR BLADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - delamination (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS.  HE REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT 20 FEET AGL, WHEN HE BEGAN LOSING CYCLIC CONTROL.  HE SAID THE CANOPY (BUBBLE) SHATTERED AND THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE.  AN EXAMINATION REVEALED SEPARATION OF THE WOOD COMPOSED MAIN ROTOR BLADE.  INSPECTION OF THE BLADE REVEALED THAT IT WAS DELAMINATED AND CONTAINED MOISTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2831B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1486
- Airframe hours: 5440
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sammy D. Goff
- Registered owner: Sammy D. Goff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 7K0, Pikeville Hatcher County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JKL, 1 nm away

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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