Bell 47G-3B-1 N1335X

Summary

On 10 September 1996 at about 22:15 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N1335X was involved in an accident near Rangely, Colorado, United States. One person was 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

10 September 1996 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Rangely, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.0799, -108.7710

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N1335X

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96TA383

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's excessive cyclic control input during a low altitude operation, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from high vegetation (sage brush). The proximity of high vegetation was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While attempting to turn some horses, the pilot applied excessive aft cyclic control and the tail rotor struck a large sage brush. Directional control was lost and the helicopter turned right. The pilot attempted a 'hovering autorotation' from 15 feet and a hard landing ensued. The main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom, and the right skid collapsed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.