# NTSB CHI04LA013: Bell 47G-3B-1, N90463, Schaumburg, IL, October 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 2003, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Schaumburg, IL - Coordinates: 41.989444, -88.101387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9894&lon=-88.1014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA013 ## Probable cause The commercial pilot not maintaining directional control of the helicopter and the improper flare initiated before landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - emergency procedure - simulated - autorotation - initiated - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot passenger - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis A helicopter experienced a hard landing while practicing an autorotation. A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a commercial rated pilot who was receiving flight instruction were on board. The CFI stated that the commercial pilot entered the maneuver, executed the 180 degree turn and continued the descent until reaching 50 to 60 feet above the ground, where the commercial pilot initiated the flare. The CFI reported that immediately after the flare, the helicopter began to yaw to the left. The CFI stated that he instructed the commercial pilot to correct the yaw and align the helicopter straight with the ground. The CFI reported that he "came on the cyclic" to assure a straight track was achieved. A hard landing was encountered, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor drive shaft and tailboom. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2003, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N90463, experienced a hard landing while practicing an autorotation at the Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C), Schaumburg, Illinois. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial rated pilot who was receiving flight instruction were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated at 06C. The commercial rated pilot reported that he was in training preparation for his CFI check ride, and was practicing 90 degree and 180 degree full touchdown autorotations with the CFI. Four autorotations went without incident. The commercial pilot decided to complete one more autorotation before a full-stop. The commercial pilot stated that he was flying a right traffic pattern and landing in a grass area on the northeast corner of the airport parallel to runway 29. The commercial pilot reported that he entered the autorotation at 700 feet agl at 60 knots. He made a right 180 degree turn and lined up with his touchdown point. He stated that he checked his rotor RPM, airspeed, and heading. The commercial pilot reported that he flared approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), and leveled the helicopter at 10 feet agl. During the final 3 feet, the helicopter yawed to the left, a correction was made, and the helicopter landed. The CFI stated that the commercial pilot entered the maneuver, executed the 180 degree turn and continued the decent until reaching 50 to 60 agl, where the commercial pilot initiated the flare. The CFI reported that immediately after the flare, the helicopter began to yaw to the left. The CFI stated that he instructed the commercial pilot to correct the yaw and align the helicopter straight with the ground. The CFI reported that he "came on the cyclic" to assure a straight track was achieved. A hard landing was encountered, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor drive shaft and tailboom. ## Aircraft - Registration: N90463 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6669 - Airframe hours: 7800 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: RF Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2003, 35 hours before - Departed: 06C, Schaumburg, IL - Destination: 06C - Airport: 06C, Schaumburg Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 15, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 435 total, 40 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 13, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.57 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 8 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 20031014035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031014035449A), Oct 14, 2003: Bell 47G3B1, Chicago/Schaumb, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command was richard locklin who was being trained for logbook endorsement to obtain a CFI rating evaluation. James o'donnell was the CFI… 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.