# NTSB WPR11LA190: Bell 47G, N9FK, Torrance, CA, April 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 2011, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.803611, -118.343887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8036&lon=-118.3439&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78803/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78803 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA190 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he applied power and pitch for takeoff and lifted up about 2 to 3 feet while starting a pedal turn to the right. He said that the helicopter then abruptly started to turn hard to the right and that he then had no control over the helicopter, so he immediately lowered the collective to stop the rotation. When the helicopter touched down, it immediately rolled onto its right side, shattering the cabin bubble and the main rotor blades. An airport operations employee heard the noise and responded to assist the pilot. He said that the pilot told him that he was in a hover just above the ground and that he “was cleared for takeoff and it just went over.” No gusts were reported on the day of the accident. The pilot did not report any known preimpact mechanical discrepancies with the helicopter. It is likely that the pilot simultaneously performed a right-pedal turn while transitioning to forward flight at too low an altitude. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2011, at 1355 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N9FK, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during departure at Zamperini Field (TOA), Torrance, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The owner/pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that he received clearance to take off. He applied power and pitch, and lifted up approximately 2 to 3 feet while starting a pedal turn to the right. He stated that the helicopter "abruptly started to turn right hard and he had no control over the helicopter." He immediately lowered the collective to stop the rotation. When the helicopter touched down, it immediately rolled onto its right side, shattering the cabin bubble and main rotor blades. Additionally, the fuselage was distorted and bent. An airport operations employee heard the noise and responded to assist the pilot. He said the pilot told him that he “was in a hover just above the ground. I was cleared for takeoff and it just went over.” The wind reported at 1357, at Torrance, was from 270 degrees at 8 knots; no wind gusts were reported during the 24-hour period on the day of the accident. The pilot did not report any known preimpact mechanical discrepancies with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9FK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9FK-2017-04-18), registration cancelled 2017-04-18, S/N 1675, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1675 - Airframe hours: 14339 - Engines: Franklin 6V350a 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rodriguez Danny - Registered owner: Rodriguez Danny - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2010 - Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: HHR, Hawthorne, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,686 total, 686 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: TOA ## 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 20110406006399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110406006399A), Apr 6, 2011: Bell 47G, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. 04/06/2011 13:54 PST, N9FK, Bell 47G, on lift off in the non-movement area on the west side of Torrance Airport tipped over on right side for unknown reasons… ## Other investigations on N9FK (1) 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 LAX90LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA164), May 4, 1990: Bell 47G (N9FK), Riverside, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78803. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF 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.