# NTSB NYC90LA025: Bell 47G-3B1, N57919, Westfield, MA, November 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1989, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Westfield, MA
- Location: 42.1579° N, 72.7159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTFIELD-BARNES RGNL (BAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1579&lon=-72.7159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA025

## Probable cause

LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR STRIKING THE GROUND AND SEPARATING FROM THE HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
  - aircraft control - not possible

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING CLEARING TURNS WHEN HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CYCLIC CONTROL.  THE HELICOPTER WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND.  NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OR FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57919 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3828
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Belchertown Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BELCHERTOWN, MA
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA
- Airport: BAF, Barnes Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 265 total, 209 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °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 19891104044329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891104044329A), Nov 4, 1989: Bell 47G3B1, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck ground during hover. Began spin tail rotor departed. Crashed in a spin.

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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