# NTSB WPR16LA069: Bell 47G 3B 1, N1181W, Carson City, NV, February 13, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 2016, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Carson City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.195278, -119.74028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1953&lon=-119.7403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA Reno FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92715/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92715
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA069

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Main rotor system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings to a taxiway. The pilot reported that, during his fourth landing attempt and as he was transitioning to a hover, he noticed that the helicopter's main rotor rpm was slightly low, and he attempted to increase the rpm by adding power. However, the helicopter did not respond and settled onto the taxiway. The pilot then raised the collective to bring the helicopter back to a hover, but the rotor rpm was still low. The pilot continued to try and add power, but the helicopter drifted right, and the right skid then contacted the ground off the side of the taxiway, which resulted in a dynamic rollover and substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The pilot stated that he was new to this type of helicopter, and it is likely that he allowed the main rotor rpm to decay to a point from which he was unable to recover. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On February 13, 2016, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N1181W, sustained substantial damage while attempting to land at the Carson Airport, Carson City, Nevada. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot as a local flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Carson Airport about 1315. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had accomplished three previous take off and landings, and the helicopter was operating normally. On the fourth landing attempt, as he was transitioning to a hover, he noticed that the rotor RPM was slightly low. He attempted to raise the RPM by adding power, but did not get a response, and the helicopter settled onto the taxiway. He then pulled up on the collective to come back into a hover, but the rotor RPM was still low. He continued to try and raise the rotor RPM, but the helicopter started to yaw and drift to the right, and the right hand skid touched the ground off of the right side of the taxiway, initiating a dynamic rollover. The helicopter rolled onto its right side and came to rest in the dirt on the side of the taxiway. The pilot stated that he was new to this helicopter, and it was likely that he allowed the rotor RPM to decay to a point that he was unable to recover. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1181W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1181W), registered now, S/N 2948, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G 3B 1 (T)
- 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
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 6222.5
- Engines: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2016, 1 hours before
- Departed: CXP, Carson City, NV
- Destination: CXP, Carson City, NV
- Airport: CXP, Carson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 24, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 393 total, 12 in this make and model, 217 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KCXP, 1 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 20160213008159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160213008159A), Feb 13, 2016: Bell 47G-3B-1, Carson, NV, Substantial damage. PIC lost control when approaching a hover. PIC stated that the rotor RPM was lower than normal and PIC stated he was unable to increase rpm's with throttle…

## 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 SEA94LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA042), Nov 15, 1993: Bell 47G3B1 (N1181W), Mesa, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE. FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WHILE APPROACHING THE FLARE.
- [NTSB LAX68F0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0086), Aug 2, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N1181W), Marana, AZ, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92715. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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