# NTSB FTW84FA102: Bell 47G-2A-1, N124CD, Hughes, AR, December 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1983, 09:38 local (15:38 UTC)
- Place: Hughes, AR
- Coordinates: 34.944185, -90.469159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9442&lon=-90.4692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT & OBSERVER WERE ON A FLT TO RESCUE 2 DUCK HUNTERS, STRANDED IN A BOAT THAT BECAME STUCK IN ICE, 500 TO 600 FT FROM SHORE. AFTER REMOVING THE RGT DOOR, THEY PLANNED TO PICK UP 1 HUNTER AT A TIME ON THE RGT SKID WHILE THE OBSERVER HELD ONTO HIM THRU THE OPEN DOOR. AFTER CIRCLING IN GUSTY WINDS, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO HOVER AT THE BOW OF THE BOAT. AS THE 1ST HUNTER CLIMBED ONTO THE RGT SKID, THE HELICOPTER BANKED TO THE RGT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, ENTERED A SPIN TO THE RGT.HOWEVER, THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL & CONTINUED TO THE LANDING AREA WHILE REMAINING IN A CONSTANT RGT TURN. AS HE ENTERED A 5 FT HOVER TO LAND, THE ACFT PITCHED FORWARD. THE PLT PULLED THE COLLECTIVE TO GAIN ALT, BUT THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT ROLL & TURN, AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK SEVERAL TREES & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CG EXCEEDED THE FORWARD LIMIT BY .33 INCHES & THE RIGHT CG LIMIT BY 5.2 INCHES. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR LATERAL LOADS & NO LATERAL CG LIMITS WERE LISTED IN THE FLT MANUAL. THOSE EQUIPPED FOR LITTERS (LATERAL LOADS) WERE RIGGED WITH ADDITIONAL CYCLIC CTL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N124CD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3750
- Airframe hours: 3769
- Engines: ALLISON 250 turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Memphis Police Dept.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MEMPHIS, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,742 total, 2,575 in this make and model, 5,501 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 10 °F
- Observed at: MEM, 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 19831224064839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831224064839A), Dec 24, 1983: Bell 47G2A1, Hughes, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter was attempting rescue of hunter. With person on skid pilot was unable to maintain lateral control.

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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