# NTSB MIA93LA076: Huddleston-Bell 47G2, N37870, Rio Grande, PR, February 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1993, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Rio Grande, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA076

## Probable cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FLIGHT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLT, HE NOTED A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE HELICOPTER AND A TENDENCY FOR THE HELICOPTER TO GO TO THE RIGHT. HE EXECUTED A 180-DEGREE TURN AND WHILE DESCENDING FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO A CONCRETE PAD, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RT SIDE. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE REPORTED VIBRATION OR YAWING TENDENCY. ACCORDING TO AN FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE HELICOPTER AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, AN OPEN FIELD WAS ADJACENT TO THE CONCRETE PAD AND A PASSENGER WAS IN THE HELICOPTER WHEN IT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37870](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37870-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 47-1965-2, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUDDLESTON-BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell-Huddleston 47G2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-huddleston-47g2) (registry code 1181074) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 47-1965-2
- Airframe hours: 719
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Perez, Santiago T.
- Registered owner: Perez, Santiago T.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1992, 75 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CAROLINA, PR
- Destination: X95, FAJARDO, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 107 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 11 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 19930228010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930228010819A), Feb 28, 1993: Bell 47G2, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Reported vibrations. Tried to land on cement pad but rotors struck trees. Wide open field adjacent to pad.

## Other investigations on N37870 (1)

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 MIA89LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA240), Sep 3, 1989: Bell 47G-2 (N37870), Cayey, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PRESENCE OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

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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