# NTSB FTW02LA033: Bell 407, N517R, Erath, LA, November 10, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 2001, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Erath, LA
- Coordinates: 29.949472, -92.02935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9495&lon=-92.0293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA033

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertant application of full right pedal which resulted in the baggage compartment door to open in-flight and a tie down rope to become entangled in the tail rotor drive system, and the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft resulting in the loss of anti-torque control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise - normal
  - directional control - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,cargo/baggage - open (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - entangled (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - unavailable, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot inadvertently applied full right pedal while the helicopter was in cruise flight, resulting in a left yaw, the baggage compartment door became open, and the main rotor tie down rope exited the helicopter.  The departing rope became entangled in the tail rotor system.  Subsequently, the pilot lost anti-torque authority and performed an autorotative landing to an open field.

## Factual narrative

On November 10, 2001, approximately 1515 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N517R, registered to and operated by Industrial Helicopters Inc., of Lafayette, Louisiana, was substantially damaged while in cruise flight in the vicinity of Erath, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.  The flight originated at 1500 from an offshore platform, South Marsh 253.

According to the pilot, he inadvertently applied full right pedal while the helicopter was in cruise flight, resulting in a left yaw.  The baggage compartment door opened and the main rotor tie down rope to exited the helicopter.  The departing rope became entangled in the tail rotor system.  Subsequently, the pilot lost anti-torque authority and performed an autorotative landing to an open field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N517R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 407
- Category: Helicopter
- Airframe hours: 2318
- Engines: Allison 250-C47B 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Industrial Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 2001, 81 hours before
- Departed: NONE, South Marsh 253, GM
- Destination: IIF, Scott, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,732 total, 26 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: LFT

## 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 20011110034549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011110034549A), Nov 10, 2001: Bell 407, Erath, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot departed an offshore oil/gas platform in the gulf of Mexico (smi 253) to return to industrial helicopters' base at scott, LA (10LA) while the…

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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