Summary
On October 18, 2015, a Bell 47G (N73224) was involved in an incident near Searchlight, NV. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.
The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged.
The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA055. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N73224.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged.
The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA055