Summary
On April 17, 2019, a Bell 47G (N96671) was involved in an incident near Donna, TX. 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 altitude during an agricultural application flight.
The helicopter pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight with an easterly heading, about 3 feet above ground level, the "wind suddenly shifted, a gust of wind [came] from the west" and the helicopter "settled." The pilot increased power and raised the collective but the helicopter impacted the terrain.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot further reported that the helicopter was equipped with a muffler, which he believed adversely affected engine's performance.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA216. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N96671.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude during an agricultural application flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight with an easterly heading, about 3 feet above ground level, the "wind suddenly shifted, a gust of wind [came] from the west" and the helicopter "settled." The pilot increased power and raised the collective but the helicopter impacted the terrain.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot further reported that the helicopter was equipped with a muffler, which he believed adversely affected engine's performance. Correspondence with the certificate holder of the helicopter, "determined to be no reduction of horsepower with the muffler installed if done as per the instructions per the STC."
The automated weather observation station located 5 NM east of the accident, reported that, about 8 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 32 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 180° at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA216