- Date
- November 3, 1988, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place
- Phoenix, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N5163BBell 47G2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 16, 1990
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19881103049419A
- Case key
- 26190
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Loss of aircraft control by a unqualified person.
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
The helicopter had just had major maintenance and the mechanic was conducting engine run-ups. The helicopter inadvertently became airborne and ascended to 100 ft. the helicopter made two turns in a sideward skid and descended to terrain impact. The helicopter collided with electrical cables during the descent. There was no evidence of a mechanical failure found during the investigation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5163B
- Reported as
- Bell 47G2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 1984
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-435-A1, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Pacific Aero Services
- Registered owner
- Pacific Aero Services
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 37
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Right
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,000 total · 950 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PHX
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.