# NTSB WPR14CA196: Bell 47G, N16414, Bakersfield, CA, May 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2014, 16:48 local (23:48 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.434165, -119.057777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4342&lon=-119.0578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89224/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89224 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after the helicopter's skid catching on the side of a trailer during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: aux gear (tail/rotorcrft skid)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270/cases.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270/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: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1181002), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: 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 pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to move the helicopter off of a trailer onto the ground. As the helicopter began to lift off from the trailer platform, a steel bolt on the landing gear skid caught on the aluminum trailer skirting. The helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and came to rest on its right side. Shortly thereafter, a fire erupted and the cabin area was consumed. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to move the helicopter off of a trailer onto the ground. As the helicopter began to lift off from the trailer platform, a steel bolt on the landing gear skid caught on the aluminum trailer skirting. The helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and came to rest on its right side. Shortly thereafter, a fire erupted and the cabin area was consumed. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16414](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16414-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 1013, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1013 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BFL, Bakersfield, CA - Destination: BFL, Bakersfield, CA - Airport: BFL, Meadows Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 30,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 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 20140518013349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140518013349A), May 18, 2014: Bell 47G, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. On may 5, 2014 , N16414, a Bell 47 helicopter, was involved in an accident when the aircraft performed a dynamic rollover off a trailer. The aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N16414 (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 MIA72FKT48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKT48), Jan 29, 1972: Bell 47G (N16414), Ft Lauderdale, FL, destroyed ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89224. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.