# NTSB FTW88LA134: Bell 47G2, N47WJ, Port O'Connor, TX, July 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1988, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Port O'Connor, TX
- Coordinates: 28.440639, -96.489433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4406&lon=-96.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TURNED DOWNWIND DURING HOVER PRACTICE, ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM TO DECREASE, AND SETTLED WITH POWER TO A HARD LANDING. THE FRONT PORTION OF THE SKIDS IMPACTED FIRST AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED TO FLY HELICOPTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47WJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-463
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1E 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stewart N. Campbell
- Registered owner: Blue Streak Of Texas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 22 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880715070439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880715070439A), Jul 15, 1988: Bell 47G2, Port O'Connor, TX, Substantial damage. Student reported helicopter settled with power to hard impact during downwind hover turn. Tailboom was chopped off.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.