Bell 47G3B2A N59414

Summary

On 22 June 1989 at about 16:30 local time, a Bell 47G3B2A registered N59414, operated by Hector G. McNeill, was involved in an accident near Dyer, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 June 1989 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dyer, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

37.6800, -117.9291

Aircraft

Bell 47G3B2A

Registration

N59414

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Hector G. McNeill

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bishop → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA89LA116

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOTS POOR PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING A HOVER IN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ROTOR ROM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT OVER STEEP SLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN HIGH DENSITY ALT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN FURTHER DECAY OF ROTOR RPM, AND IMPACT WITH TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOTS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION OF THE ACCIDENT: 'AVOID OPERATIONS AT HOVER WHERE LANDING IS NOT POSSIBLE.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.