# NTSB FTW98LA371: Bell 47G, N2795A, Monette, AR, August 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Monette, AR - Coordinates: 35.889858, -90.339859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8899&lon=-90.3399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43857/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA371 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control. A factor was his lack of total flight experience in helicopters. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Roll over, takeoff ## Analysis The flight was intended to be a solo training flight in the recently acquired helicopter. In a telephone interview, the 9,000 hour commercial pilot [mostly single engine airplane] reported that he lost control of the helicopter while trying to takeoff. He stated that the helicopter rolled to the right upon lift off. While he was trying to correct, the aircraft continued to roll and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. Both main rotor blades fractured and the tail boom was severed. The pilot had a total of 30 hours of flight time in helicopters and about 10 hours in this model. He possessed a valid student endorsement for helicopters. Several attempts were made to obtain NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report. As of the date of this report, Form 6120.1/2 has not been received. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1998, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N2795A, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from a private ranch near Monette, Arkansas. The commercial rated (airplane) pilot, who held a student certificate for helicopters, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight. The flight was intended to be a solo training flight for the pilot in the recently acquired helicopter. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he lost control of the helicopter while trying to takeoff. He stated that the helicopter rolled to the right upon lift off. While he was trying to correct, the aircraft continued to roll and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. Both main rotor blades fractured and the tail boom was severed during the event. According to an FAA inspector, who is the Principle Operations Inspector (POI) for the pilot's agriculture spraying business, the pilot had a great deal of experience in flying single engine airplanes. The pilot recently acquired the helicopter to learn how to fly it and use it for aerial application. The POI estimated that the pilot had about 30 hours of flight time in helicopters and about 10 solo hours in this model. He also stated that the pilot had a student endorsement to fly the helicopter and was teaching himself to fly. Several attempts were made to obtain NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report. As of the date of this report, Form 6120.1/2 has not been received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2795A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2795A), registered now, S/N 471 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 471 - Airframe hours: 9413 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry Spikes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 25 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 19980817022239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980817022239A), Aug 17, 1998: Bell 47G, Monette, AR, Substantial damage. Helicopter flipped over on takeoff. (-23) pilot stated when lifting off ground he lost control of the aircraft. Right skid hit ground, then rotor blades,… ## Other investigations on N2795A (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 NYC80FGT16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FGT16), Jul 12, 1980: Bell 47G (N2795A), Gettysburg, PA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC74FHA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FHA06), Aug 17, 1973: Bell 47D1 (N2795A), Stockertown, PA, 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.