# NTSB SEA94LA042: Bell 47G3B1, N1181W, Mesa, WA, November 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1993, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, WA
- Coordinates: 46.580177, -119.149955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5802&lon=-119.1500&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 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE. FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WHILE APPROACHING THE FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE COMING IN FOR A LANDING NEAR A CHEMICAL LOADING TRUCK, THE PILOT ALLOWED HIS AIRSPEED TO REMAIN HIGH. DURING HIS ATTEMPT TO LAND WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, THE PILOT MADE AN IMPROPER FLARE, RESULTING IN THE TAIL ROTOR HOOP HITTING THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY A HARD LANDING. AS A RESULT OF THE HARD LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN AND CUT THROUGH THE TOP TAIL BOOM TUBES.

## Factual narrative

On November 15, 1993, at 1100 PST, a Bell BH-47G3B1 helicopter, N1181W, operated by Tri-City Helicopter, Inc., landed hard at Mesa, Washington.  There was no flight plan filed for the local aerial application flight, conducted under 14 CFR 137 in visual meteorological conditions, that originated at the accident site about 1030, November 15, 1993.  The commercial certificated pilot was not injured in the accident.  The aircraft was substantially damaged.  There was no fire.      The operator reported that the pilot had approached the landing site with excessive airspeed, flared excessively during landing, struck the tail on the ground, and landed hard. This was followed by the main rotor blades flexing down and striking the tail boom.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1181W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1181W), registered now, S/N 2948, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- 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: 2948
- Airframe hours: 5575
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Hood, Melvyn And Doris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1993

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19931115046929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931115046929A), Nov 15, 1993: Bell 47G3B1, Mesa, WA, Substantial damage. Approached landing sight excessive speed. Flared excessively. Struck tail on ground. Impacted. Rotors hit tailboom.

## Other investigations on N1181W (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 WPR16LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA069), Feb 13, 2016: Bell 47G 3B 1 (N1181W), Carson City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB LAX68F0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0086), Aug 2, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N1181W), Marana, AZ, 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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