# NTSB DFW06CA123: Bell 47G-2, N993B, Rosenberg, TX, May 10, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2006, 11:13 local (16:13 UTC) - Place: Rosenberg, TX - Coordinates: 29.573055, -95.801666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5731&lon=-95.8017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63664/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA123 ## Probable cause The pilots encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness during an aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 5,740-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. The pilot stated, that he made a right turn into the wind and that a gust of wind "must have hit the tail causing him to lose tail-rotor authority." The pilot further stated that he corrected with full left pedal; however, the helicopter touched down and the left skid dug into the soft ground causing the aircraft to roll onto the left side. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported from 240 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot reported having accumulated 70 hours in the same make and model. He added that there were no anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The 5,740-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. The pilot stated, that he made a right turn into the wind and that a gust of wind "must have hit the tail causing him to lose tail-rotor authority." The pilot further stated that he corrected with full left pedal; however, the helicopter touched down and the left skid dug into the soft ground causing the aircraft to roll onto the left side. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported from 240 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot reported having accumulated 70 hours in the same make and model. He added that there were no anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N993B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N993B), registered now, S/N 1448 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1448 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Continental Helicopters, Inc., doing business as Continental Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Continental Helicopters, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Guy, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 5,740 total, 70 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg ## 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 20060510006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060510006549A), May 10, 2006: Bell 47G2, Rosenberg, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The accident occurred near the intersection of west cummings rd. and rustic ln., east of fm 723, 8 miles southwest of the sugarland airport (sgr), Texas.… ## Other investigations on N993B (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 MIA76FKQ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKQ19), Sep 27, 1975: Bell 47G2 (N993B), Sumner, MS, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW72DPM26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPM26), Apr 5, 1972: Bell 47G (N993B), Wynona, OK, 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.