# NTSB NYC88LA209: Bell 47G3B-1, N6286N, Oakland, ME, August 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1988, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, ME
- Location: 44.5525° N, 69.7061° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5525&lon=-69.7061&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLT, THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING AT 30 FT, AT 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN OVER A LAKE WHEN THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER SWUNG TO THE RIGHT UNEXPECTEDLY. HE STATED THAT 'WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE UNEXPECTED SWING TO THE RIGHT I ONLY HAD TIME TO REALIZE THAT I LOST TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE FORWARD WITH CYCLIC BEFORE WATER IMPACT.' THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAD PHOTOGRAPHED A CAMP AND WATER SKIERS AND HAD ASKED THE PILOT TO MANEUVER NEAR A BOAT, OVER A FLOAT, WHEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6286N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6286N-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 6667 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maine Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AUG, AUGUSTA, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 430 in this make and model, 13,700 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880805030929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880805030929A), Aug 5, 1988: Bell 47G3B1, Oakland, ME, Destroyed. Lost tail rotor effectiveness circling a lake at low altitude to take photos. Too slow in turn. Hit water and sank.

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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