# NTSB MIA96LA235: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1397X, Borinquen, PR, September 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 1996, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Borinquen, PR - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38090/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA235 ## Probable cause the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft while hover taxing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, hover - in ground effect - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot had landed in the grass near runway 8, turned left to hover taxi, which resulted in the helicopter hovering with a 20 knot tail wind. The helicopter was hover taxiing about 18 inches above the ground, when the left front landing skid struck the ground, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the ground. This was the pilot's first solo flight as a student helicopter pilot, after being endorsed for solo flight the day before the accident. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 070 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 1996, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N1397X, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, crashed in the vicinity of Borinquen, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. The pilot had landed in the grass near runway 8. He turned left to hover taxi which resulted in the helicopter hovering with a 20 knot tail wind. The helicopter was hover taxiing about 18 inches above the ground, when the left front landing skid struck the ground, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the ground. This was the pilot's, first solo flight, as a student helicopter pilot, after being endorsed for solo flight the day before the accident. According to the FAA Inspector's statement, the pilot stated, "...a gust of wind hit the helicopter causing the left front section of the skid to hit the ground and break...." The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 070 degrees, at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. ## 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: 6218 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435-D1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gilberto R. Santiago - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996 - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: BQN, Rafael Hernandez ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960929045529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960929045529A), Sep 29, 1996: Bell 47G3B1, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. (.4) On September 29, 1996, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N1397X, registered to a private owner, operating as a title 14 CFR… ## 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 MIA91LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA217), Sep 15, 1991: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Penuelas, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADVERTENT CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY A PASSENGER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ROLL OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN. - [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. --- 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.