# NTSB FTW96LA229: Bell 47J, N8412E, Lakeway, TX, May 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1996, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Lakeway, TX - Coordinates: 30.379116, -97.950088 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3791&lon=-97.9501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19851/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA229 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate prior to landing. ## 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 - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis According to the pilot, while flying approximately 200 feet AGL over a lake, he 'felt a push/cross wind (wind shear).' He stated that, 'it felt as if it were pushing me into the ground.' He then lowered the collective and 'added' forward cyclic to increase forward airspeed. After selecting a landing site, the pilot attempted to control the descent but, 'nothing was working' and the helicopter 'was going down fast.' Just prior to landing, the pilot 'flared with collective full up to lighten the impact.' The tail boom was structurally damaged during the landing due to impact with a large rock adjacent to the landing site. The pilot reported 20 knot winds, gusting to 30 knots. He stated that he encountered a quartering head wind during his approach to the landing site. According to the manufacturer, the reported wind component encountered would not have exceeded the performance capability of the helicopter. According to the pilot, gross weight limitations were not exceeded during the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1996, at 1710 central daylight time, a Bell 47J, N8412E, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while attempting to land near Lakeway, Texas. The commercial pilot and his 2 passengers were not injured. The helicopter was owned and operated by Air Dreams Helicopters of Austin, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Austin, Texas, at approximately 1645. A flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot, while flying approximately 200 feet AGL over a lake, he "felt a push/cross wind (wind shear)." He stated that, "it felt as if it were pushing me into the ground." He then lowered the collective and "added" forward cyclic to increase forward airspeed. After selecting a landing site, the pilot attempted to control the descent but, "nothing was working" and the helicopter "was going down fast." Just prior to landing, the pilot "flared with collective full up to lighten the impact." The tail boom was structurally damaged during the landing due to impact with a large rock adjacent to the landing site. During a post accident inspection of the aircraft by the operator and a FAA inspector, no mechanical defects were found that would have contributed to the accident event. The pilot reported 20 knot winds, gusting to 30 knots. He stated that he encountered a quartering head wind during his approach to the landing site. According to the manufacturer, the reported wind component encountered would not have exceeded the performance capability of the helicopter. According to the pilot, gross weight limitations were not exceeded during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8412E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8412E-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 1800, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47J - Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1800 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith Benedick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3R9, AUSTIN, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,746 total, 2,517 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960526011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960526011639A), May 26, 1996: Bell 47J, Leander, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempting to land on shore of lake, helicopter experienced a downdraft and crashed. (.4)according to the pilot, while flying approximately 200 feet AGL… 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.