# NTSB FTW95LA105: Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, El Indio, TX, February 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 1995, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: El Indio, TX - Coordinates: 28.509222, -100.310134 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5092&lon=-100.3101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19347/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA105 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER, BEING USED FOR PREDATOR CONTROL, WAS 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND WAS CHASING A BOBCAT. THE PILOT SAID A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND GUST CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO LOSE TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND IT BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT INCREASED COLLECTIVE AND THROTTLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN AIRSPEED, BUT THIS CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM TO DROOP AND ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE HELICOPTER TO REGAIN AIRSPEED BY LOWERING THE NOSE. THE PILOT THEN REDUCED COLLECTIVE TO REGAIN RPM, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SPIN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 1995, approximately 1500 central standard time, a Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near El Indio, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, but a second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. The helicopter was being used for predator control and was chasing a bobcat about 25 feet above the ground. The pilot said a right quartering tailwind gust caused the helicopter to lose tail rotor effectiveness and it began spinning to the right. He increased collective and throttle in an attempt to regain airspeed, but this caused the main rotor RPM to droop and altitude was insufficient to allow the helicopter to regain airspeed by diving. He then reduced collective to regain RPM, but the helicopter continued to spin and impacted the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6SR-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 7516, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7516 - Airframe hours: 15926 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Smith Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, December 7, 1994, 31 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19950201001019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950201001019A), Feb 1, 1995: Bell 47G4A, Eagle Pass, TX, Destroyed. Predator control flight chasing bobcat. Right quartering tailwind caused loss tail rotor effect. Spun to impact. ## Other investigations on N6SR (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 ATL02FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02FA107), May 25, 2002: Bell 47G-4A (N6SR), Yauco, PR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions… - [NTSB FTW96LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA005), Oct 3, 1995: Bell 47G-4A (N6SR), Edinburg, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper takeoff planning which resulted in the loss of conrol. A factor was the gusty crosswind condition. 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.