# NTSB CHI89FA165: Bell 47G-2A-1, N49HB, Wisconsin Dells, WI, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 18:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Coordinates: 43.619003, -89.770545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6190&lon=-89.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA165

## Probable cause

ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXCEED THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, AND OPERATING OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PLAN PROPERLY FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT ARE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,helicopter hover performance - exceeded (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, OPERATING AS AN AERIAL SIGHT-SEEING CONCESSION, FAILED TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT AND LANDED HARD AFTER ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM A RAISED HELIPAD (PINNACLE). THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS TOO HEAVILY LOADED TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT THE DENSITY ATTITUDE (2500 FEET) OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS OUTSIDE OF THE ALLOWABLE RANGE. THE PILOT STATED DURING AN INTERVIEW THAT HE PERCEIVED A POWER LOSS AFTER CLEARING THE PINNACLE AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF FROM THE PINNACLE IN A GENERALLY EASTERLY DIRECTION. WHEN THE PILOT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF, HE DESCRIBED THEM AS WESTERLY AT APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49HB-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 3562 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a-1) (registry code 1181014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3562
- Airframe hours: 8463
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: W.E. Mcdermott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1988, 35 hours before
- Departed: WS07, WISCONSIN DELLS, WI
- Destination: WS07

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,509 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,314 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VOK

## 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 19890814029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814029249A), Aug 14, 1989: Bell 47G2A1, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Substantial damage. Unable to gain altitude after pinnacle takeoff due gross weight and density altitude. Impacted hard in parking lot.

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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