Bell-Kitz Kopters 47D1 N6324X
10 November 1989 · Chino, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 10 November 1989 at about 22:39 local time, a Bell-Kitz Kopters 47D1 registered N6324X, operated by Petkow, Raymond, was involved in an accident near Chino, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:39
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Chino, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Chino (CNO)
- Coordinates
- 33.9999, -117.6798
- Aircraft
- Bell-Kitz Kopters 47D1
- Registration
- N6324X
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Petkow, Raymond
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX90LA029
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
A FATIGUE FAILURE OF BOTH THE MAIN ROTOR STABILIZER BAR TUBE AND THE TIE ROD. IN ADDITION, THE TIE ROD NUT WAS LOOSE AND DID NOT CONFORM TO ENGINEERING DRAWING SPECIFICATIONS. COMPANY PERSONNEL FAILED TO DETECT THE FATIGUE CRACKS DURING DAILY INSPECTIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG THE STUDENT PILOT RPTD THAT THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THEN VIOLENTLY PITCHED UP. THE STUDENT PILOT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO A COW PASTURE. THE WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD THE MAIN ROTOR STABILIZER BAR SEPARATED IN FLT AND IT WAS NOT FOUND. THE ATTACH SECTION OF THE BAR REMAINED CONNECTED AT ITS ATTACH POINTS. METALLURGICAL EXAM DSCLSD THE INNER BAR AND THE TIE ROD FRACTURED IN FATIGUE WHICH HAD PROPAGATED VERY SLOWLY, AND CRACKS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVIDENT. BELL HELICOPTER HAD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN 47-(04-2)73-1 REQUIRING DAILY INSPECTION OF THE BAR FOR CRACKS. THE TIE ROD NUT WAS A BOGUS PART AND EXCESSIVELY WORN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Ontario, California, United States | Ameriflight | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-25-235 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1989 | Cessna 310K | Ojai, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 182 | Eureka, California, United States | Nothern Air | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lancaster, California, United States | West Coast Air Center | Fatal | 2 |
| 29 Sep 1989 | Bellanca 17-30A | Palo Alto, California, United States | Klouda, Linda K. | Minor injuries | - |