# NTSB CHI90LA067: Bell 47-G2, N90836, Lafayette, IN, January 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1990, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.420406, -86.770057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4204&lon=-86.7701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA067

## Probable cause

THE HELICOPTER STUDENT'S IPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE PITCH LEVER DURING THE LANDING PHASE OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE, THE RELATIVELY HIGH WIND, AND INADVERTENT LIFTOFF OF THE HELICOPTER WERE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT RATED HELICOPTER STUDENT WAS PERFORMING THE FIRST LANDING ON HIS FIRST SOLO HELICOPTER FLIGHT, WHILE HIS INSTRUCTOR OBSERVED FROM THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER STUDENT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING INTO 15 KNOT WINDS, AND STATED THAT THE 'AIRCRAFT WAS SET TO THE GROUND SLOWLY...(HOWEVER) I DID NOT PLACE (COLLECTIVE) FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. AIRCRAFT WAS LIGHT ON SKIDS AIRCRAFT ROTATED LEFT...OVER CONTROL (RESULTED IN A) TAIL STRIKE...LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL...' THE HELICOPTER ROTATED 360 DEGREES BEFORE THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO A REST ON ITS SIDE. THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK RECORDS INDICATED 3,693 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, INCLUDING 15 HOURS OF ROTORCRAFT EXPERIENCE. THE 15 HOURS OF ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT TIME WERE ACQUIRED IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE 30 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90836](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90836-1992-05-15), registration cancelled 1992-05-15, S/N JT001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47-G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: JT001
- Airframe hours: 2451
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Townsend, John R.
- Registered owner: Townsend, John R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1989, 41 hours before
- Airport: 3AR, Aretz Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,693 total, 15 in this make and model, 3,489 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 6 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 19900117000669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900117000669A), Jan 17, 1990: Bell 47G2, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. Student on first solo failed to bottom collective then over controlled,caused tail strike rotor strike and rollover

## Other investigations on N90836 (2)

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 CHI77FET11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FET11), Mar 25, 1977: Bell 47G2 (N90836), Kentland, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI75FEA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEA21), May 11, 1975: Townsend 47G2 (N90836), Earl Park, IN, destroyed

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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