Bell 47D1 N9158R

Summary

On 27 September 2011 at about 17:30 local time, a Bell 47D1 registered N9158R, operated by Lee Haley, was involved in an accident near Ahwahnee, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

27 September 2011 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ahwahnee, California, United States

Coordinates

37.4075, -119.7233

Aircraft

Bell 47D1

Registration

N9158R

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Lee Haley

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ahwahnee → Ahwahnee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA469

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and mechanic were on a local area flight to warm the oil before changing the oil lines. As they returned, the pilot slowed the helicopter and initiated a gradual descent to the landing site. The main rotor rpm decreased. As they continued the descent, the clearance from the trees surrounding the landing area was minimal. The pilot attempted to avoid the trees as he tried to regain main rotor rpm. The helicopter impacted a tree and descended nose down into the terrain. According to the mechanic and pilot, they encountered no mechanical anomalies during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.