# NTSB SEA91LA251: Bell BH-47-G3B1, N5474A, Rock Island, WA, September 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1991, 18:30 local (Sep 26, 1991, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Rock Island, WA
- Coordinates: 47.310733, -120.080162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3107&lon=-120.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA251

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING ON A TRAILER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT HOOKED THE ACFT LDG GEAR SKID WHILE LANDING ON A TRAILER AND WAS UNABLE TO FREE THE SKID.  HE ABANDONED THE RUNNING ACFT, WHICH ROLLED OFF THE TRAILER AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.  THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND A POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5474A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5474A-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 2898 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL BH-47-G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2898
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard H. Butz
- Registered owner: Richard H. Butz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, ROCK ISLAND, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 6 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910925042949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910925042949A), Sep 25, 1991: Bell 47G3B1, Rock Island, WA, Destroyed. Tried to land on his helicopter trailer. Skid hung up with craft part way on trailer. Jumped. Helicopter rolled off

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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