Bell 47-G N955B

Summary

On 11 May 1991 at about 15:15 local time, a Bell 47-G registered N955B, operated by Esteves, Arturo, was involved in an accident near Aguadilla. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 1991 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Aguadilla

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 47-G

Registration

N955B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Esteves, Arturo

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA91LA141

Nobody was injured.

THE IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO CONDUCT AN OUT-OF-GROUND-EFFECT HOVER WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND. THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SETTLING WITH POWER AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY AN NTSB INVESTIGATOR AND A U.S. COAST GUARD PILOT TO CONDUCT AN OUT-OF-GROUND-EFFECT HOVER WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND IN THE VICINITY OF A PREVIOUS CRASH SITE. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE DESCENDING WITH A SLOW LEFT TURN. THE ENGINE RPM WAS HEARD TO INCREASE AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT STATED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SETTLING WITH POWER. HE FURTHER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE, WHICH WAS NOT SUBSTANTIATED BY EYEWITNESSES WHO HEARD AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.