# NTSB LAX92LA396: Bell 47-G4A, N73279, Volcano, HI, September 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1992, 12:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Volcano, HI
- Coordinates: 19.489597, -155.229034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.4896&lon=-155.2290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA396
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA396

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL AFTER INADVERTENTLY ENTERING A POWER SETTLING CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A LOCAL AREA FOR HIRE SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT TO THE PU'U O'O VENT IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS HOVERING ABOVE THE VENT AT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL WHEN THE HELICOPTER STARTED SETTLING WITH POWER. HE SAID HE TURNED THE HELICOPTER DOWN SLOPE TO MAXIMIZE THE ALTITUDE AND ATTEMPT TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE PREVAILING WIND WAS NOW FROM THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER AS THE PILOT FLEW DOWN THE SLOPE AND THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SETTLE TOWARD THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID HE CONTINUOUSLY APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO ARREST THE DESCENT, HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SETTLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73279](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73279), registered now, S/N 3134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3134
- Airframe hours: 5146
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Kainoa Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kainoa Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1992, 13 hours before
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Destination: ITO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19920921037899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920921037899A), Sep 21, 1992: Bell 47G4A, Volcano, HI, Substantial damage. During hover over Volcano began settling with power. Impacted downslope and rolled over.

## Other investigations on N73279 (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 ANC91LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA041), Mar 30, 1991: Bell 47 (N73279), Thompson Pass, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND IMPROPER FLARE DURING LANDING.
- [NTSB ANC76AA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA028), Aug 27, 1975: Bell 47G-4 (N73279), Granite Mt., AK, 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.

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