# NTSB FTW87GA083: Bell 47G-3B-1, N62462, Odessa, TX, March 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1987, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX
- Coordinates: 31.910995, -102.259788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9110&lon=-102.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87GA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87GA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Propeller/rotor contact to person, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE HEEL OF ITS SKIDS, LEFT SKID FIRST, AND AT A SLIGHTLY LOW ROTOR RPM. THE TAIL BOOM THEN MOVED UPWARD WHILE THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM, ALLOWING THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FRESH MARKS WERE NOTED ON THE MAIN ROTOR HUB ASSEMBLY WHERE IT HAD BANGED AGAINST THE MAIN ROTOR DROOP STOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62462](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62462-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 3756 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435-25A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ector County Tx Sheriffs Dept
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 13, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: E02, ODESSA, TX
- Destination: E02, ODESSA, TX
- Airport: E02, Odessa/Schlemeyer

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 82 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 11 nm away

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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