Bell 47-G2 N4423

Summary

On 5 October 1995 at about 14:15 local time, a Bell 47-G2 registered N4423 was involved in an accident near Freer, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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

5 October 1995 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Freer, Texas, United States

Coordinates

27.8795, -98.6099

Aircraft

Bell 47-G2

Registration

N4423

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA008

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines due to his improper takeoff technique. A factor was the helicopter induced blowing dust which impaired the pilot's visibility.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he took off from a road with the winds from the north at 1-3 knots. During the initial climb, 'extremely dusty conditions' from the rotor wash prevented him from seeing the power lines. A skid hooked the lines and the aircraft rotated to the right. The pilot further reported that he increased collective pitch; however, the tail rotor blades contacted the lines and tail rotor control was lost immediately.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.