# NTSB FTW92LA159: Bell 47G-2, N6746D, Danbury, TX, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, TX
- Coordinates: 29.220401, -95.339042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2204&lon=-95.3390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA159

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR SKID DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - run on landing - attempted, dual student
  - landing gear,skid assembly - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - failure,partial
  - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed (cause)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A HELICOPTER WAS EXECUTING A RUNNING LANDING TO A SOD RUNWAY TO SIMULATE AN ANTITORQUE FAILURE DURING AIRCRAFT QUALIFICATION TRAINING. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SKID TUBE FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6746D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6746D-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 2250, built 1958 (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: 2250
- Airframe hours: 4573
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Salaika, Timothy A., doing business as Salaika Aviation
- Registered owner: Salaika, Timothy A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: 07TA
- Airport: 07TA, Salaika Ranch Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 10,200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 26 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 19920614020239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614020239A), Jun 14, 1992: Bell 47G2, Danbury, TX, Substantial damage. Skid collapsed on running touchdown during practice tail rotor failure. Helicopter rolled over. Internal corrosion.

## Other investigations on N6746D (3)

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 GAA20CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA062), Nov 7, 2019: Bell 47G (N6746D), Groveland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper cyclic input after a reported hydraulic failure, the reason for which could not be determined, and his failure to follow the emergency procedures, which resulted in a…
- [NTSB MIA02LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA101), May 28, 2002: Bell 47G-2 (N6746D), Bunnell, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the student pilot to secure the rotorcraft floorboard mounted ballast, resulting in shifting of the ballast on liftoff, and the subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB MIA67A0084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67A0084), Feb 14, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N6746D), Donelson, TN, 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.

---
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.