- Date
- October 3, 1995, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place
- Edinburg, TX
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N6SRBell 47G-4A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 29, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19951003030889A
- Case key
- 19679
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's improper takeoff planning which resulted in the loss of conrol. A factor was the gusty crosswind condition.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
According to the pilot, he had lifted off from a flat bed trailer and was hovering at a height of 6 feet. As the helicopter transitioned forward (approximately 20 knots indicated airspeed) and at a height estimated at 15 to 20 feet AGL, the helicopter encountered a 30 knot wind gust approximately 60 to 80 degrees off the left side. The aircraft rolled right, the nose pitched down, and the right skid contacted the water. The aircraft came to rest in a pond in approximately 3-1/2 feet of water.
Factual narrative
On October 3, 1995, at 1310 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, registered and operated by Smith Helicopters under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Edinburg, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, while another passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating, at the time of the accident, from the Santa Anita Ranch.
According to the pilot, he lifted off from a flat bed trailer and was hovering at a height of 6 feet. As the helicopter transitioned forward (approximately 20 knots indicated airspeed) and at a height estimated at 15 to 20 feet AGL, the helicopter encountered a 30 knot wind gust approximately 60 to 80 degrees off the left side. The aircraft rolled right, nose pitched down, and the right skid contacted the water. The aircraft came to rest in a pond in approximately 3 1/2 feet of water.
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the tailboom had separated from the helicopter, the main rotor mast separated, the main rotor blades and the tail rotor were destroyed, the cockpit windshield was shattered, and the right fuel tank was missing (presumed sunk).
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6SR
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-4A
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 7516
- Airframe hours
- 15,963
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-540-B1B3, 280 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Smith Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 19, 1995 · 34 hours before
- Departed
- TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 9,700 total · 1,100 in this make and model · 900 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 350° at 18 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MFE, 40 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.
Other investigations on N6SR · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.