# NTSB MIA91LA217: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1397X, Penuelas, PR, September 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1991, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Penuelas, PR
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA217

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY A PASSENGER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ROLL OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF THE PAX SEATED IN THE COPLT'S SEAT PUSHED THE CYCLIC CONTROL STICK FWD WITH HIS KNEE.  THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.  THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1397X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1397X), registered now, S/N 6585, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6585
- Airframe hours: 5793
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-ALF 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Martinez, Juan F.
- Registered owner: Martinez, Juan F.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,944 total, 370 in this make and model, 2,614 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19910915040009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910915040009A), Sep 15, 1991: Bell 47G3B1, Peneulas, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Passenger moved copilot cyclic forward by his knee during hover after liftoff. Unable to correct, impacted. Rolled.

## Other investigations on N1397X (4)

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 MIA96LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA235), Sep 29, 1996: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Borinquen, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft while hover taxing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and a tailwind.
- [NTSB LAX83LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA184), Apr 8, 1983: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Delano, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN73AD015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD015), Oct 3, 1972: Bell 47G3B1 (N1397X), Hayden, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0020), Oct 12, 1967: Bell 47G-3B (N1397X), Silverthorne, CO, 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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