# NTSB SEA85LA174: Bell 47G-3B-1, N9417A, Lebanon, OR, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1985, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lebanon, OR
- Coordinates: 44.520236, -122.809005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5202&lon=-122.8090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE PERFORMED 4 CIRCLING APPROACHES OVER A SAND BAR AND ON THE 5TH APPROCAH, ROTOR RPM DECAYED. UNABLE TO REGAIN THE RPM, A HARD LANDING RESULTED DURING WHICH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAILROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9417A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9417A-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 3808, built 1968 (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: 3808
- Airframe hours: 759
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pilot Personnel International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S30, LEBANON, OR
- Destination: S30, LEBANON, OR
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 544 total, 20 in this make and model, 319 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850719033019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719033019A), Jul 19, 1985: Bell 47G3B1, Lebanon, OR, Substantial damage. During a hard landing on a sand bar, main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom. Rotor speed not maintained

## Other investigations on N9417A (2)

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.

- [NTSB SEA86LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA182), Jul 29, 1986: Bell 47G3B1 (N9417A), Albany, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA86LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA105), Apr 15, 1986: Bell 47G3B1 (N9417A), Albany, OR, substantial damage

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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