Bell 47G-2A-1 N49HB
14 August 1989 · Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 14 August 1989 at about 23:07 local time, a Bell 47G-2A-1 registered N49HB was involved in an accident near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. 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 23:07
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
- Coordinates
- 43.6190, -89.7705
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2A-1
- Registration
- N49HB
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Wisconsin Dells → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI89FA165
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXCEED THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, AND OPERATING OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PLAN PROPERLY FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT ARE FACTORS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, OPERATING AS AN AERIAL SIGHT-SEEING CONCESSION, FAILED TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT AND LANDED HARD AFTER ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM A RAISED HELIPAD (PINNACLE). THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS TOO HEAVILY LOADED TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT THE DENSITY ATTITUDE (2500 FEET) OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS OUTSIDE OF THE ALLOWABLE RANGE. THE PILOT STATED DURING AN INTERVIEW THAT HE PERCEIVED A POWER LOSS AFTER CLEARING THE PINNACLE AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF FROM THE PINNACLE IN A GENERALLY EASTERLY DIRECTION. WHEN THE PILOT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF, HE DESCRIBED THEM AS WESTERLY AT APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8 KNOTS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 47 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May 1989 | Bell 47L | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Allied Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 26 May 1989 | Bell 47D-1 | Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Oct 1989 | Bell 47G | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Nov 1989 | Bell 47G/TOMCAT MK5 | Elberton, Georgia, United States | Ag-Rotor Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 Oct 1989 | Bell 47G-2A-1 | Plymouth, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Nov 1989 | Bell 47G-5 | Guadalupe, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
All 1,633 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 1989 | Lancair 235 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 17 Aug 1989 | Cessna 172P | Superior, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 172M | Cedarburg, Wisconsin, United States | Nack, James W. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jan 1989 | Cessna 150J | Osceola, Wisconsin, United States | LEE Rasmussen | No injuries | - |
| 12 Feb 1989 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States | Plodzien, Thomas J. | No injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1989 | Cessna 207 | Dodgeville, Wisconsin, United States | Freight Runners, Inc. | No injuries | - |