# NTSB DEN89LA159: Bell 47G-3B-2, N8132J, Tierra Amarilla, NM, July 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Tierra Amarilla, NM
- Coordinates: 36.700931, -106.540405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7009&lon=-106.5404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA159

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED FROM A SKI SLOPE, HEADING NORTH, DOWN SLOPE. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE NORTH AT 5 KNOTS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 11,000 FT. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING HOVER FOR TAKEOFF, THE ROTOR/ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. HE SAID HE OBSERVED THE ENGINE RPM AT 2,700 BEFORE THE CRASH. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED 130 FEET DOWN SLOPE FROM THE LIFT OFF POINT, AND ROLLED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8132J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6772
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: El Aero Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: SAF
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890707021179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707021179A), Jul 7, 1989: Bell 47G3B2, Tierra Amarilla, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot believed helicopter performance degraded on takeoff. Landed and rolled over.

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.