Bell 47G-3B-2 N8132J

Summary

On 7 July 1989 at about 16:00 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 registered N8132J, operated by El Aero Services, Inc, was involved in an accident near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were 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.

Date

7 July 1989 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.7009, -106.5404

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-2

Registration

N8132J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

El Aero Services, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89LA159

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED FROM A SKI SLOPE, HEADING NORTH, DOWN SLOPE. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE NORTH AT 5 KNOTS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 11,000 FT. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING HOVER FOR TAKEOFF, THE ROTOR/ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. HE SAID HE OBSERVED THE ENGINE RPM AT 2,700 BEFORE THE CRASH. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED 130 FEET DOWN SLOPE FROM THE LIFT OFF POINT, AND ROLLED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.