Bell 47G-3B1 N67223

Summary

On 16 June 1990 at about 03:30 local time, a Bell 47G-3B1 registered N67223, operated by Badger Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 June 1990 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B1

Registration

N67223

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Badger Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MKC90FA130

3 people died.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT. DARKNESS AND THE PILOT'S MANNER OF FLYING THE AIRCRAFT (OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND A FENCE, SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A FAIR GROUND AT NIGHT ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT. A HOME VIDEO RECORDING OF THE TAKEOFF SHOWED AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERING OF THE HELICOPTER WITH RAPID CHANGES IN AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE, DIRECTION, AND ALTITUDE. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MADE A TURN THAT 'WAS NOT SAFE,' AND THEN IT DEPARTED AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT AGL BEFORE CRASHING ABOUT 1/8 MI AWAY. ANOTHER WITNESS REPORTED THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG A ROAD AND NEAR A POWER LINE. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE HELICOPTER WAS IN PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE, WHEN IT 'SWUNG TO THE LEFT, THEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND PLOWED INTO THE GROUND.' NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.