Summary
On February 01, 1995, a Bell 47G-4A (N6SR) was involved in an accident near El Indio, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 2 people uninjured out of 3 aboard. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND.
On February 1, 1995, approximately 1500 central standard time, a Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near El Indio, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, but a second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The following is based on the pilot/operator report. The helicopter was being used for predator control and was chasing a bobcat about 25 feet above the ground. The pilot said a right quartering tailwind gust caused the helicopter to lose tail rotor effectiveness and it began spinning to the right.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW95LA105. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6SR.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On February 1, 1995, approximately 1500 central standard time, a Bell 47G-4A, N6SR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near El Indio, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, but a second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The following is based on the pilot/operator report. The helicopter was being used for predator control and was chasing a bobcat about 25 feet above the ground. The pilot said a right quartering tailwind gust caused the helicopter to lose tail rotor effectiveness and it began spinning to the right. He increased collective and throttle in an attempt to regain airspeed, but this caused the main rotor RPM to droop and altitude was insufficient to allow the helicopter to regain airspeed by diving. He then reduced collective to regain RPM, but the helicopter continued to spin and impacted the terrain.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA105