- Date
- October 20, 1987, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place
- Lapra, TX
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8403EBell 47G-2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 16, 1989
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19871020082799A
- Case key
- 22584
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Upon entering a bank approx. 80 to 100 ft. off the ground, the aircraft experienced a power loss with vibration. During autorotation the aircraft contacted a tree causing substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage found the transmission clutch assembly shoes were worn and separated. The clutch drum was found to be extensively worn and scored.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8403E
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2257
- Airframe hours
- 8,497
- Engine
- Lycoming V0-435-F, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Holt Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner
- Holt Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · October 13, 1987
- Departed
- Uvalde, TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 380 total · 55 in this make and model · 265 as pilot in command · 80 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 40° at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8403E · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.