Bell 47G-2 N312SH

Summary

On 22 July 1991 at about 17:25 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N312SH, operated by Sunrise Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Slidell, Louisiana, United States. 2 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

22 July 1991 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Slidell, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Slidell (6R0)

Coordinates

30.2797, -89.7691

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2

Registration

N312SH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Sunrise Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW91LA125

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT PERFORMING A TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FAA INSPECTOR.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT INITIATED THE AUTOROTATION AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET AND 60 KNOTS. THE PILOT AND THE FAA CHECK AIRMAN STATED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM WAS IN THE 'LOW GREEN' RANGE. A PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE FLARE RESULTING IN THE RIGHT SKID SINKING SEVERAL INCHES INTO THE WET GRASSY TERRIN. THE HELICOPTER SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET, COMING TO REST IN A NOSE-LOW LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. THE MAIN ROTORS STRUCK THE TAILBOOM, SEVERING IT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD INFORMED THE CHECK AIRMAN THE GRASS WAS WET. THE AUTOROTATION TO TOUCHDOWN WAS NOT A REQUIRED MANEUVER, NOR WAS IT PROHIBITED. THE CHECK AIRMAN DID NOT INTERVENE DURING THE CONDUCT OF THE AUTOROTATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.