- Date
- April 20, 1991, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place
- Harwich, MA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N1166WBell 47-G3B1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 7, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910420011599A
- Case key
- 36760
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A failure of the clutch during takeoff due to improper maintenance procedures. Factors related to the accident were insufficient altitude to establish an autorotation.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter experienced a loss of lift through the main rotor system and made a hard landing. Post crash examination showed the clutch had recently been removed and disassembled for inspection. The clutch was returned to service with only 25 percent shoe/drum contact. Maintenance personnel had not followed the procedures contained in the overhaul manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1166W
- Reported as
- Bell 47-G3B1
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2055
- Engine
- Lycoming TVO-435-B1A, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Firefly Leasing, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Firefly Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
- Airport
- NONE
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 4,240 total · 2,500 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HYA, 10 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.