# NTSB NYC92LA159: Bell 47G-3B-1, N2070P, West Mifflin, PA, August 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.360271, -79.899536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3603&lon=-79.8995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA159

## Probable cause

A YAW FOR UNKNOWN REASON(S) WHICH RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTING THE DIRT BANK AND A LOSS OF CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO OPERATE IN CLOSE VICINITY TO THE DIRK BANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING REPOSITIONED ONTO A TRAILER WHEN THE TAIL SWUNG TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED ON A DIRT BANK LOCATED 25 FEET FROM THE TRAILER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LANDING.  THE RIGHT SKID TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TRAILER AND AS THE HELICOPTER SETTLED, IT ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE RIGHT TURN WAS UNCONTROLLABLE; HOWEVER, POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.  IN ADDITION THEY SAID, THE CONTINUITY OF THE CONTROL RODS AND CABLES TO THE TAIL ROTOR WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE TAIL ASSEMBLY WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2070P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2070P-2016-04-14), registration cancelled 2016-04-14, S/N 64-17847, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3413
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond D. Schuster
- Registered owner: Ral Aviation Industries, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,934 total, 221 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °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 19920812055289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812055289A), Aug 12, 1992: Bell 47G3B1, Pittsburgh, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported uncommander yaw caused tail rotor to hit embankment during loading on platform. Lost control.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.