# NTSB CHI95LA270: Bell 47, N4032G, Arlington Hts, IL, August 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1995, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Arlington Hts, IL - Location: 42.0974° N, 87.9817° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arlington Heights, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0974&lon=-87.9817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 8, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9987/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA270 ## Probable cause plot misjudged the flare. The factors included the pilot getting too close to the lead helicopter, allowing his airspeed to get too slow, and encountering settling with power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - distance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - settling with power - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS THE PILOT OF THE SECOND HELICOPTER IN A FLIGHT OF TWO HELICOPTERS LANDING AT THE ARLINGTON PARK RACE TRACK'S PARKING LOT. AS HE APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE, HE GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE LEAD HELICOPTER. HE SLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO ALMOST A HOVER AND THEN TRIED TO MAKE A STEEP APPROACH TO THE ZONE. HE REPORTED THAT HIS AIRSPEED WAS TOO SLOW AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO SETTLING WITH POWER AND LANDED HARD. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1995, at 1025 central daylight time, a Bell-47, N4032G, operated by Clark Enviromental Misquito Management, sustained substantial damage as a result of a hard landing. The helicopter was going to be used as a static display aircraft at the Arlington Park Race Track, located in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the Clarke Heliport en route to the Arlington Park Race Track. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was the pilot of the second helicopter in a flight of two helicopters landing at the Arlington Park Race Track's parking lot. As he approached the landing zone, he got too close to the lead helicopter. He slowed the helicopter to almost a hover and then tried to make a steep approach to the zone. He reported that his airspeed was too slow and the helicopter went into settling with power. The helicopter landed hard on the pavement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4032G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4032G-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 7618, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41582, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7618 - Airframe hours: 7491 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clark Enviromental Mosquito - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1995, 87 hours before - Departed: LL95, CLARKE HELIPORT, IL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,382 total, 134 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PWK, 30 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 19950812023409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812023409A), Aug 12, 1995: Bell 47G4A, Arlington Heigh, IL, Substantial damage. Flight 2 helicopters landing on race track. Got too close. Slowed steep descent. Get into settling with power. (-23) Mr. Meilahn was employed by and operating… ## Other investigations on N4032G (1) 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 CHI69F0360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0360), Oct 26, 1968: Bell 47G-4A (N4032G), Chicago, IL, 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. --- 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.