# NTSB FTW89DPA03: Bell 47-D1, N74124, Allen, TX, December 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1988, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Allen, TX
- Coordinates: 33.100025, -96.660148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1000&lon=-96.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DPA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DPA03

## Probable cause

UNQUALIFIED PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN LEVELING THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FLARE AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, unqualified person (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED, PRIVATE AIRPLANE PILOT WAS FLYING HIS HELICOPTER IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND PRACTICING POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATIONS, WHEN ON THE THIRD OR FOURTH ATTEMPT, THE PILOT/OWNER FLARED EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM SEPARATED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM AND AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74124](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74124), registered now, S/N WH-5009, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: WH-5009
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-200-C32 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skelton, Paul E.
- 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, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 10 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 19881202071199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881202071199A), Dec 2, 1988: Bell 47D1, Allen, TX, Substantial damage. Struck tail rotor on the ground while practicing autorotations to a hover.

## Other investigations on N74124 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX71FUA47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUA47), Feb 8, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N74124), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage

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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