# NTSB LAX03CA274: Bell 47D1, N64580, Chino, CA, September 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2003, 17:20 local (Sep 2, 2003, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.974723, -117.636665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9747&lon=-117.6367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57835 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57835/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA274 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inappropriate remedial action through the application of excessive aft cyclic during a run-on landing. A factor in the accident was the student's disregard for company procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - run on landing - attempted, pilot in command - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - cyclic - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter's main rotor struck the tail boom while the pilot was practicing a run-on landing. While the student pilot was attempting to execute a landing, he touched down on the heels of the skids. The helicopter rocked forward and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. As a result, the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom. No mechanical problems were noted with the helicopter. The student pilot had accumulated about 58 hours in helicopters, with 7 as pilot-in-command. The operator reported that students were not permitted to practice run-on landings during solo flight. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2003, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47D-1, N64580, main rotor struck the tail boom while the pilot was attempting a run-on landing at Chino Airport, Chino, California. Zemlock Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student helicopter pilot, who possessed an airplane private pilot certificate, was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported in a written statement that he was practicing run-on landings. During the second landing, the right skid dug into the dirt and the main rotor made contact with the tail boom. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems prior to the accident. The pilot had an estimated 2,024 hours of total flight time; approximately 58 of those hours were in helicopters, with 7 logged as pilot-in-command. The Safety Board investigator-in-charge interviewed the helicopter operator. The operator stated that the pilot was practicing run-on landings. During the accident landing, he touched down on the heels of the skids. The helicopter rocked forward and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. The main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom. The operator also noted that the student was not allowed to practice run-on landings without an instructor on board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64580](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64580-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N TWH-9, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47D1 - Registry model: [Bell-Transworld Helicopters 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-transworld-helicopters-47d1) (registry code 1180845) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: TWH-9 - Engines: Franklin 6A&6V335 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Zemlock - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino Airport, runway 03 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,024 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,671 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KCNO ## 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 20030901036529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901036529A), Sep 1, 2003: Bell 47D1, Chino, CA, Destroyed. (-23) While practicing a running landings in a BH-47 a student pilot failed to touch down in a level attitude. The aircraft initially contacted the surface… ## Other investigations on N64580 (3) 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 LAX01FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA236), Jul 6, 2001: Bell 47D-1 (N64580), Riverside, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The engine crankshaft's failure as the result of fatigue cracking initiated by surface damage and localized overheating due to the installation at overhaul of incorrectly sized bearings. - [NTSB CHI79FEM21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEM21), May 19, 1979: Bell 47D-1 (N64580), Middleville, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI77FEM34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEM34), Jul 21, 1977: Bell 47D (N64580), Byron Center, MI, 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.