Bell 47G-3B-1 N5NH

Summary

On 12 October 1991 at about 19:15 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N5NH, operated by Sutliff Farms, was involved in an accident near Catawissa, Pennsylvania, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 October 1991 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Catawissa, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.9507, -76.4590

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N5NH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Sutliff Farms

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC92LA006

4 people had minor injuries.

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT THE PILOT USED POOR JUDGEMENT AND LOADED MORE PASSENGERS THAN WERE SEATS ON THE HELICOPTER THIS RESULTED IN CONTROL INTERFERENCE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FLIGHT OUTSIDE THE FORWARD LIMITS.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER HAD FUNCTIONING DUAL CONTROLS INSTALLED. THE PILOT BOARDED THREE PASSENGERS, 2 LARGE ADULTS AND ONE CHILD (TOTALING 520 LBS) FOR A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE SEATED IN A DOUBLE SEAT AND HELD BY ONE SEAT BELT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTROLLED RIGHT TURN AND THE RIGHT SKID STRUCK THE GROUND FLIPPING THE HELICOPTER OVER. HE SAID THE CYCLIC WAS JAMMED AGAINST ONE OF THE PASSENGERS LEG. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE DISCLOSED THE TAKEOFF CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS 1.3 INCHES FORWARD OF THE FORWARD LIMIT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.