# NTSB FTW91LA125: Bell 47G-2, N312SH, Slidell, LA, July 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1991, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Slidell, LA
- Coordinates: 30.279653, -89.769081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2797&lon=-89.7691&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 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT PERFORMING A TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FAA INSPECTOR.

## 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 - simulated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, faa inspector (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED THE AUTOROTATION AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET AND 60 KNOTS. THE PILOT AND THE FAA CHECK AIRMAN STATED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM WAS IN THE 'LOW GREEN' RANGE. A PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE FLARE RESULTING IN THE RIGHT SKID SINKING SEVERAL INCHES INTO THE WET GRASSY TERRIN. THE HELICOPTER SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET, COMING TO REST IN A NOSE-LOW LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. THE MAIN ROTORS STRUCK THE TAILBOOM, SEVERING IT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD INFORMED THE CHECK AIRMAN THE GRASS WAS WET. THE AUTOROTATION TO TOUCHDOWN WAS NOT A REQUIRED MANEUVER, NOR WAS IT PROHIBITED. THE CHECK AIRMAN DID NOT INTERVENE DURING THE CONDUCT OF THE AUTOROTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N312SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N312SH-2018-03-05), registration cancelled 2018-03-05, S/N 1375, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1375
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sunrise Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunrise Helicopters, Inc.
- Airport: 6R0, Slidell

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,230 total, 397 in this make and model, 3,044 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910722029079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910722029079A), Jul 22, 1991: Bell 47G2, Slidell, LA, Substantial damage. Reexamination check ride. Pilot demo of an autorotation landing. On landing,skid dug in soft ground. Rotors hit tail

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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