# NTSB FTW86LA043: Bell 47G, N2275B, Beaumont, TX, March 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1986, 19:15 local (Mar 18, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, TX
- Coordinates: 29.900232, -94.160614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9002&lon=-94.1606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN AREA WHICH WAS PROTECTED FROM THE WIND BY A LARGE BUILDING. AFTER OBTAINING TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND CLIMBING ABOVE THE BUILDING, A RIGHT QUARTERING TAIL WIND, WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS, WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT STATED HE LOST TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND HIS ROTOR RPM DECAYED. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND UPON TOUCHDOWN THE FRONT TOE OF THE RIGHT SKID SUNK INTO THE SOFT SOIL AND HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2275B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2275B-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 53-3662 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1176
- Airframe hours: 5209
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6VS335A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin C. Tassin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: BMT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Destination: 37R, JENNINGS, LA
- Airport: BMT, Beaumont Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 598 total, 4 in this make and model, 442 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BPT, 15 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 19860317006899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860317006899A), Mar 17, 1986: Bell 47G, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. On climbout above hangars, tailwind caused loss of lift and rotor rpms. Impacted ground and rolled onto its side.

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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