# NTSB FTW84LA445: Bell 47G4A, N79195, Catarina, TX, September 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1983, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Catarina, TX
- Coordinates: 28.34906, -99.610031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3491&lon=-99.6100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA445
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA445

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE PLATFORM ON A TRAILER DURING A PRACTICE LANDING. THE PLT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ACFT POSITION ON THE PLATFORM AND IN ATTEMPTING TO RE-POSITION THE HELICOPTER ROCKED AND HIT THE TAIL ROTOR AGAINST THE TRAILER. LOST OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL CAUSED THE ACFT TO TOUCH DOWN IN A DOWNWIND YAW AND COLLAPSED THE RIGHT LANDING SKID. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT AND BURNED. THE WIND WAS FROM 100 DEGREES AT 10 KTS GUSTING TO 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N79195 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7568
- Airframe hours: 7337
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sabre Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 1983, 60 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,772 total, 57 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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