# NTSB FTW03CA146: Bell 47G-4, N4205D, Robinson, TX, May 12, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2003, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Robinson, TX
- Coordinates: 31.501943, -97.080833
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5019&lon=-97.0808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03CA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03CA146

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground while performing a quick stop maneuver which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, maneuvering
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

While performing a quick stop maneuver in the helicopter, the tail rotor contacted the ground, and the helicopter started to move to the right.  The pilot "possibly overcorrected to the left, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side."  The pilot reported that both tail rotor blades were bent, the main rotor blades were damaged, and the left skid was separated.  The pilot did not find any evidence of a tail rotor strike on the ground.

## Factual narrative

On May 12, 2003, approximately 0730 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-4 single-engine helicopter, N4205D, sustained substantial damage during a dynamic rollover after the tail rotor impacted the terrain while maneuvering near Robinson, Texas.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner of the helicopter, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The local flight originated from the pilot's residence approximately 0715.

According to the pilot, he departed his residence and flew to a designated local practice area to practice autorotations, slope landings, and quick stop maneuvers.  While performing a quick stop maneuver, the tail rotor contacted the ground, and the helicopter started to move to the right.  The pilot stated that he "possibly overcorrected to the left, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side."  The pilot reported that both tail rotor blades were bent, the main rotor blades were damaged, and the left skid was separated.  The pilot did not find any evidence of a tail rotor strike on the ground.  The pilot had accumlated approximately 132 hours in rotorcraft and 87 hours in the accident helicopter make and model.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4205D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4205D-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 3374, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-4
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3374
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl L. Haberman, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Robinson, TX
- Destination: Waco, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,713 total, 87 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030512011309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030512011309A), May 12, 2003: Bell 47G4, Levi, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was doing a quick stop maneuver when the tail impacted the ground. The helicopter then made a very hard landing on the left skid…

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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