# NTSB NYC06CA173: Bell 47G-2, N6738D, Petersburg, WV, July 4, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2006, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, WV
- Coordinates: 38.99472, -79.145835
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9947&lon=-79.1458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA173

## Probable cause

The passenger's inadvertent interference with the flight controls, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

As the helicopter climbed to about 15-20 feet during a hover, the pilot felt that "something was pushing the helicopter."  Shortly thereafter, the helicopter began to descend and the rotor RPM began to decrease.  The pilot initiated a precautionary landing, during which the passenger inadvertently pushed on the rudder pedals.  The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the helicopter rolled onto its side as it touched down.

## Factual narrative

As the Bell 47G-2 climbed to about 15-20 feet during a hover, the pilot felt that "something was pushing the helicopter."  Shortly thereafter, the helicopter began to descend and the rotor RPM began to decrease.  The pilot initiated a precautionary landing, during which the passenger inadvertently pushed on the rudder pedals.  The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the helicopter rolled onto its side as it touched down.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6738D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2229
- Airframe hours: 6477
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth Wymer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006
- Departed: NONE, Petersburg, WV
- Airport: W99, Grant County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 493 total, 80 in this make and model, 413 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: W99, 2 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 20060704023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060704023029A), Jul 4, 2006: Bell 47G2, Petersburg, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taking off from field with 2 passengers, giving sightseeing rides. There was a tailwind. There was a loss of rotor RPM after takeoff and the…

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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