- Date
- June 25, 1982, 11:01 local (18:01 UTC)
- Place
- Corcoran, CA
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N1141WBell 47J-2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 25, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19820625024829A
- Case key
- 70337
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During takeoff from a landing dolly, the pilot lost directional control and the helicopter began to spin to the right. He realized that he had a tail rotor failure, but reported that he was half over the dolly and headed toward a jet ranger and a fuel system. He stated that he pulled back instead of chopping the throttle, but then the helicopter turned toward a hanger. Subsequently, it crashed in a cotton field away from the buildings and equipment. The helicopter began burning, but the occupants were helped out of the cockpit by other personnel.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1141W
- Reported as
- Bell 47J-2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 3119
- Airframe hours
- 3,800
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-540-B1B3, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 137
- Operator
- Dennis Lee Beeson
- Registered owner
- Dennis Lee Beeson
- Departed
- COR · Corcoran, CA
- Destination
- COR · Corcoran, CA
- Airport
- COR · El Rico, runway 31, 3,770 × 60 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 36
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 1,820 total · 1,820 in this make and model · 1,800 as pilot in command · 80 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Temperature
- 176 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.