- Date
- June 22, 1989, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place
- Dyer, NV
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N59414Bell 47G3B2A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 24, 1990
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19890622017079A
- Case key
- 41036
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
The pilots poor planning in attempting a hover in undesirable conditions which resulting in the inability to maintain rotor rom. Contributing to the accident was the mountainous terrain and high density alt.
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
While the pilot was attempting to hover out of ground effect over steep sloping mountainous terrain in high density alt weather conditions, the rotor RPM began to decrease. He attempted to make a takeoff, resulting in further decay of rotor RPM, and impact with terrain. The helicopter rolled over and was destroyed by post impact fire. The pilots recommendation for prevention of the accident: 'avoid operations at hover where landing is not possible.'
Aircraft
- Registration
- N59414
- Reported as
- Bell 47G3B2A
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 6870
- Airframe hours
- 4,445
- Engine
- Lycoming TVO-435-F1A, 280 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Hector G. Mcneill
- Registered owner
- Mc Neill, Hector G.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 10, 1988 · 120 hours before
- Departed
- BIH · Bishop, CA
- Destination
- BIH
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 500 total · 350 in this make and model · 380 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- BIH, 38 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.