# NTSB GAA16CA055: Bell 47G, N73224, Searchlight, NV, October 18, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2015, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Searchlight, NV
- Coordinates: 35.488609, -115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4886&lon=-115.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Las Vegas FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92342/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92342
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA055

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73224](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73224), registered now, S/N 2759, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G (3B)
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (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: 2759
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 10986
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: US Helicopter LLC.
- Registered owner: US Helicopter LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2015
- Departed: Searchlight, NV
- Destination: Searchlight, NV
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 20, 2014; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 15,000 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KBVU, 30 nm away

## Other investigations on N73224 (1)

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 SEA84LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA162), Jul 5, 1984: Bell 47G-3B (N73224), Eagle Point, OR, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92342. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Docket Photos (item 3, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photos-Master.PDF

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.

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