# NTSB MIA90LA018: Bell 47G, N6359E, West Palm Beach, FL, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1989, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.5930° N, 80.0851° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PALM BEACH COUNTY PARK (LNA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5930&lon=-80.0851&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING AN APCH FOR LNDG INTO THE WIND, HE FLEW THE HELICOPTER TO A 6 FT HOVER.  HE INITIATED A LEFT PEDAL TURN TO A HEADING OF APRX 220 DEG. ON THIS HEADING, THE WIND WAS FROM THE RIGHT REAR. THE PLT RPRTD THERE WAS AN ABRUPT PITCH-DOWN OF THE HELICOPTER'S NOSE. HE APPLIED FULL AFT CYCLIC & COLLECTIVE PITCH, FOLLOWED BY RIGHT PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO TURN THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WIND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT SKID IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM 330 DEG AT 14 GUSTING 25 KTS. ABOUT 8 MI AWAY AT PALM BEACH INTL ARPT, THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 17 KTS. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN LOADED TO ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE MOMENT ARM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6359E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: N6359E
- Airframe hours: 696
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark A. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1988, 42 hours before
- Airport: LNA, Palm Beach County Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 187 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 8 nm away

## 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 19891028043609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028043609A), Oct 28, 1989: Bell 47G, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Pedal turn out of wind at six foot hover produced a tuck down. Pilot tried to recover but hit nose down.

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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