Bell 47G-3B1 N1358X

Summary

On 25 November 1989 at about 17:00 local time, a Bell 47G-3B1 registered N1358X was involved in an accident near Ewell, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 November 1989 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ewell, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.4297, -85.6393

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B1

Registration

N1358X

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ozark → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL90LA030

2 people were seriously injured.

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE DEMONSTRATED AUTOROTATION SO AS TO PRECLUDE AN ACCIDENT, IN THE EVENT THAT POWER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PRIVATE RATED PILOT HAD ATTEMPTED A PRACTICE 180 DEGREE AUTOROTATION. IT WAS ABORTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR BECAUSE OF IMPROPER LINE UP BY THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION. A SECOND AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR TO DEMONSTRATE CORRECT PROCEDURE. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND TO AN ATTEMPTED POWER RECOVERY. HE ADDED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO AVOID TREES AND REACHED AN OPEN FIELD WITH LOW ROTOR RPM. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. LATER EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY DISCREPANCIES WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.