# NTSB FTW90DRD11: Bell 47G3-B, N73241, Houma, LA, June 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1990, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.569213, -90.699295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5692&lon=-90.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRD11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRD11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AND AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING LANDED NEAR AN ALLIGATOR'S NEST, NEAR A LAKE. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE HELICOPTER FAILED TO RESPOND TO COLLECTIVE PITCH INPUTS DURING THE LANDING. HE SAID HE THEN TRIED TO MAKE A SLIDE-ON-LANDING INTO THE WATER BUT THE REAR PORTION OF THE FIXED FLOTATION GEAR IMPACTED A LEVEE, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER FORWARD, AND SETTLED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE LAKE. NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73241](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73241-1991-09-19), registration cancelled 1991-09-19, S/N 2773 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3-B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2773
- Airframe hours: 7719
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daneco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1989, 15 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °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 19900605019009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900605019009A), Jun 5, 1990: Bell 47G3B, Lake Theriot, LA, Destroyed. Tried to land to collect alligator eggs. Rotors too slow. Tried a slide water landing skids hit shore rolled over.

## Other investigations on N73241 (2)

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 SEA72DYI06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYI06), Aug 13, 1971: Bell 47G3B (N73241), Selma, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK67A0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67A0090), Jun 19, 1967: Bell 47G-3B (N73241), Castella, 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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