# NTSB NYC88LA214: Bell 47G5, N14861, Biddeford, ME, August 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1988, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Biddeford, ME
- Location: 43.4641° N, 70.4724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BIDDEFORD MUNI (B19), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4641&lon=-70.4724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE AN APPROACH TO A LOW HOVER ABOVE A HARD SURFACED RWY. THE HELICOPTER WAS SLOWLY AIR TAXIING WHEN THE PLT FELT THE HELICOPTER BECOME UNSTABLE DIRECTIONALLY AND HE CONSIDERED MAKING A RUN-ON LANDING. HOWEVER, BEFORE HE COULD MAKE THE LANDING THE PILOT SAID 'THE NOSE STARTED GOING TO THE RIGHT VERY QUICKLY AND I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE CAREFULLY FORWARD WHICH DIDN'T WORK'. THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY WENT THROUGH ABOUT 360 DEG OF TURN BEFORE STRIKING THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE TEMP AT THE TIME OF THE ACFT WAS 90 DEG F RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALT OF 2200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14861](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14861), registered now, S/N 25089, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 25089
- Airframe hours: 3236
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Maine Helicopters
- Registered owner: Maine Helicopter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: B1D
- Airport: B19, Biddeford, runway 06, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-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, 13,000 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19880811032389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880811032389A), Aug 11, 1988: Bell 47G5, Block Island, RI, Substantial damage. Landing after pipeline patrol. Lost tail rotor effectiveness. Landing from a low hover. Made 360 prior ground impact

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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