# NTSB NYC86LA061: Bell 47J2A, N888EN, Atkinson, NH, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1986, 16:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Atkinson, NH
- Location: 42.8384° N, 71.1470° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atkinson, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8384&lon=-71.1470&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airport/facilities - inadequate (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, hover
- Fire, landing

## Analysis

PILOT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO POSITION THE BELL 47 HELICOPTER ON A SMALL PAD. THIS PAD WAS TOO NARROW TO ACCOMMODATE THIS ACFT AND THE RIGHT SKID SLIPPED OFF THE PLATFORM. THE PILOT THEN REQUESTED HIS PASSENGER TO DEPLANE. AFTER THE PILOT DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ACFT AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REPOSITION THE ACFT. AT A HOVER OF APPROX 3 FT, THE ACFT STARTED TO ROTATE ABOUT ITS MAST AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST ON THE CYCLIC APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LOST.THE PILOT ALSO LOST PEDAL CONTROL. THE PILOT THEN LANDED HARD, AND EXITED THE ACFT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ERUPTED IN FLAMES AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. NEITHER PILOT OR PASSENGER WERE INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N888EN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J2A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3109
- Engines: LYCOMING V0540B1B3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elio Pasquale, doing business as Norizon Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1986, 7 hours before
- Departed: LAWRENCE, MA
- Destination: ATKINSON, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 750 total, 8 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 12 knots

## 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 19860113000669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860113000669A), Jan 13, 1986: Bell 47J2A, Atkinson, NH, Destroyed. During hover to reposition helicopter over the landing pad, control was lost. Helicopter burned after landing hard.

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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