Summary
On October 05, 1995, a Bell 47-G2 (N4423) was involved in an accident near Freer, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
On October 5, 1995, at 0915 central daylight time, a Bell 47-G2, N4423, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged following impact with power lines near Freer, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The flight was originating, at the time of the accident, from the Caramucha Ranch.
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff from a county road, with the winds from the north at approximately 1-3 knots. During initial climb, "extremely dusty conditions from [the] rotor wash" prevented him from seeing the power lines.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW96LA008. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4423.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On October 5, 1995, at 0915 central daylight time, a Bell 47-G2, N4423, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged following impact with power lines near Freer, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The flight was originating, at the time of the accident, from the Caramucha Ranch.
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff from a county road, with the winds from the north at approximately 1-3 knots. During 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." The pilot responded by "chopping" the throttle and cushioning the landing with the collective.
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the tailboom had separated from the helicopter, the centerframe was structurally damaged, and the main rotor blades had partially separated from the aircraft.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96LA008