Bell 47G-3B-1 N53SP

Summary

On 30 May 1989 at about 12:45 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N53SP, operated by Valley Air, was involved in an accident near Keystone Hgts., Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 May 1989 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Keystone Hgts., Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Keystone Airpark (42J)

Coordinates

29.7800, -82.0292

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N53SP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Valley Air

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA89LA165

1 person had minor injuries.

THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM BECAME DISCONNECTED DUE TO A BENT TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THE TREES CONTRIBUTED TO THE HELICOPTER DAMAGE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE DEPG ON A SPRAYING OPN, THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RGT & LEFT PEDAL APPLICATION WOULD NOT CORRECT THE YAW. HE THEN PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, SUBSEQUENTLY PULLING THE COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION IMPACT WITH TREES. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT HAD BECOME BENT BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 BEARINGS, ALLOWING THE FWD SHAFT TO PULL FROM THE COUPLING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.