Bell OH-58A N149SD

Summary

On 17 September 1997 at about 14:45 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N149SD was involved in an accident near Newark, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 September 1997 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Newark, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Kenneth Copeland (4TA2)

Coordinates

32.9993, -97.4402

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N149SD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97GA350

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter collided with the ground after it descended from level flight in a right rotating turn. According to witnesses, the helicopter landed and tookoff after a few minutes on the ground. The helicopter circled the airport and was headed upwind about 500 feet above the ground when it pitched up, 'hovered for an instant' and descended to the ground. Examination of the helicopter did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. The filament of the low rotor rpm warning light bulb was stretched, which was indicative that it was on at the time of impact. Acoustic analysis of a video tape recording of the accident revealed the rotor rpm during the descent was 80 percent (normal operating range 90-107 percent). According to the helicopter manufacturer, under the given conditions, at a gross weight of 3,250 pounds, and a height of 500 feet, a hover out of ground effect can be accomplished. The estimated gross weight of the helicopter was 2,750 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.