# NTSB FTW97LA319: Bell 47G-3B-2, N2243W, Montrose, CO, August 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1997, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Montrose, CO - Coordinates: 38.4906, -107.869499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4906&lon=-107.8695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20320/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA319 ## Probable cause failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to properly supervise the flight and ensure that adequate rotor rpm was maintainted during the autorotation/landing. The high density altitude was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - terrain condition - open field - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - autorotation - performed, dual student - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The commercial-rated student pilot was practicing power recovery autorotations with a flight instructor (CFI) monitoring. The rotor rpm was allowed to deteriorate, which resulted in a hard landing. The main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tail boom from the helicopter. Density altitude at the time was 11,300 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1997, at 1645 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 helicopter, N2243W, made a hard landing during an autorotation training flight 5 miles north of Montrose, Colorado. The certified flight instructor pilot and commercially certificated student were not injured and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the flight instructor, the student was practicing power recovery autorotations and had completed nine. On the 10th autorotation, at approximately 20 feet, the student brought in power and leveled the aircraft and the instructor said he felt the throttle being applied. The low rotor horn sounded and the aircraft touched down hard causing the main rotor to flex and severe the tail boom. Examination of the engine and drive train, by an FAA inspector, following the accident provided no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Density altitude at the time was 11,300 feet above mean sea level and according to the flight instructor, they were operating into the wind, which was westerly at 10 to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2243W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2243W-2003-11-13), registration cancelled 2003-11-13, S/N 6755, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6755 - Airframe hours: 7931 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 260 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: High Country Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1997, 3 hours before - Departed: MTJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,418 total, 1,978 in this make and model, 9,189 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTJ, 5 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 19970819023179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970819023179A), Aug 19, 1997: Bell 47G3B2, Montrose, CO, Substantial damage. Helicopter was attempting a rotation and made a hard landing. ## Other investigations on N2243W (4) 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 ATL00LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA086), Sep 9, 2000: Bell 47G-3B-2 (N2243W), Pine Hill, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to remove the tie down. - [NTSB DEN88LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA135), Jun 25, 1988: Bell 47G (N2243W), Terry, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA81DYM48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYM48), Sep 30, 1981: Bell 47G3B1 (N2243W), Albany, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA80DYM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYM29), Mar 28, 1980: Bell 47G-3B (N2243W), Albany, OR, 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.