Bell 47G-2 N972B

Summary

On 23 July 1987 at about 22:35 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N972B, operated by John L. Lanier, was involved in an accident near Huntsville, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

23 July 1987 at 22:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2

Registration

N972B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

John L. Lanier

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL87LA222

2 people had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE WATER DURING A LOW-ALTITUDE TURN OVER A RIVER. THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS TO THE SOUTH OVER AN ISLAND AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL, TO SHOW THE ISLAND TO THE POLICEWOMAN/TRAFFIC OBSERVER ONBOARD. AS HE WAS MAKING A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 40 KTS IAS TO PASS BACK OVER THE ISLAND, THE ACFT ROLLED EXCESSIVELY IN THE DIRECTION OF TURN AND THE NOSE BEGAN TO 'TUCK'. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY APPLYING OPPOSITE CYCLIC ONLY. HE DID NOT INCREASE THE PWR OR ADD COLLECTIVE PITCH. HE DID NOT REMEMBER IF HE USED ANY LEFT PEDAL TO ASSIST IN COUNTERACTING THE EXCESSIVE TURNING. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER IN A SLIGHT, RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE, WITH THE NOSE LOW. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR RPM'S REMAINED 'IN THE GREEN' DURING THE MANEUVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.