# NTSB BFO92LA102: Bell 47G, N3109G, Southwick, MA, July 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1992, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Southwick, MA
- Location: 42.0629° N, 72.7245° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SCIBELLI (6MA3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0629&lon=-72.7245&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA102

## Probable cause

IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE STABILIZER CONTROL SYSTEM BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - flt control syst,stabilator control - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN DURING A HOVER-TAXI CHECK AS PART OF A POST-MAINTENANCE FLIGHT TEST.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL RIGHT (UNCOMMANDED), AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL DESPITE USING LEFT CYCLIC INPUT.  THE MAIN ROTORS STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT BANK, ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER INCLUDED A TEST OF THE HYDRAULIC DAMPERS WHICH WERE CONNECTED TO THE STABILIZER BAR ASSEMBLY.  THE TEST REVEALED THAT THE DAMPERS WERE NOT ADJUSTED ADEQUATELY, WHICH RESULTED IN LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE TO CYCLIC CONTROL INPUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3109G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3109G-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 407 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1g) (registry code 1180804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-335-series) (registry code 27039, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 407
- Airframe hours: 6397
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Robert Hunt
- Registered owner: Robert Hunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1992, 91 hours before
- Departed: 6MA3
- Airport: 6MA3, Scibelli Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,200 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,950 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920715025699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920715025699A), Jul 15, 1992: Bell 47D1, Southwick, MA, Substantial damage. During hover test right uncontrollable turn began until rotors hit ground. Hydraulic dampners improper adjustment.

## Other investigations on N3109G (7)

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 MIA80FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FA112), Sep 22, 1980: Cambell 47-D1G (N3109G), Panama City, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB MIA77DLA38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DLA38), Jul 18, 1977: Bell 47D1 (N3109G), Panama City, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA77DLA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DLA37), Jun 17, 1977: Bell 47D1G (N3109G), Panama Cy Bch, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76DKJ53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKJ53), Mar 6, 1976: Bell 47D1 (N3109G), Enterprise, AL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA75FKJ54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75FKJ54), Apr 7, 1975: Bell 47D1-G (N3109G), Abbeville, AL, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72DLA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72DLA26), Dec 17, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N3109G), Milton, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA66A0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0006-201538), Jul 11, 1965: Bell 47-D1 (N3109G), Panama City, 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.

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