# NTSB MIA95LA236: Bell 47G-3B1, N92HA, Union Church, MS, September 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1995, 19:30 local (Sep 26, 1995, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Union Church, MS - Coordinates: 31.700067, -90.819869 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7001&lon=-90.8199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37834 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37834/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA236 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance lubrication and inspection of the main rotor head which resulted in the separation of a rod end bearing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - rotorcraft flight control,control rod bearing - worn (cause) - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - rotorcraft flight control,control rod bearing - separation (cause) - rotor system,stabilizer bar - disconnected (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot lost cyclic control shortly after takeoff. When engine power was reduced during the forced landing the helicopter pitched up and rolled to the left and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. Postcrash examination showed a rod end bearing on the main rotor head that connects the stabilizer bar to the damper had separated. The rod end bearing was found to not contain a significant amount of grease and was excessively worn which allowed the monoball to separate from the housing. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1995, about 1930 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B1, N92HA, registered to an individual, crashed shortly after takeoff from a trailer at Union Church, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after takeoff from the landing trailer he lost cyclic control. He was able to maneuver the helicopter by use of engine power, main rotor rpm, and tail rotor control to a clear area about 1/2 mile from the takeoff point. When engine power was reduced for landing the helicopter pitched nose up and rolled to the left. The main rotor blades contacted the ground and the helicopter sustained damage. Postcrash examination of the helicopter was performed by FAA inspectors and personnel from Bell Helicopter. The lower rod end bearing on one of the stabilizer to damper link assemblies was found separated causing a disconnection between the stabilizer bar and damper. Further examination of the separated rod end bearing was performed at Bell Helicopter by FAA and Bell personnel. The rod end bearing had excessive wear and a bronze insert used to secure the monoball in the bearing housing was missing. This allowed the link and rod end housing to separate from the monoball. The rod end bearing housing is fitted with a grease fitting. There was not a significant amount of grease in the rod end bearings. See the Bell Helicopter report. ## Aircraft - Registration: N92HA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3696 - Airframe hours: 6191 - Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-A1B 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ward Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Mark A. Henry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1995, 65 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 21,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 16,450 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCB, 35 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 19950925030259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950925030259A), Sep 25, 1995: Bell 47G3B1, Union Church, MS, Substantial damage. Lost cyclic control after liftoff from dolly. Pitch up roll to left and impacted. Stabilizer rod end bearing broke. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.