Bell 47G-4 N1915B

Summary

On 24 May 2002 at about 19:20 local time, a Bell 47G-4 registered N1915B, operated by John Farson, was involved in an accident near Muncie, Indiana, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2002 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Muncie, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

40.1299, -85.3804

Aircraft

Bell 47G-4

Registration

N1915B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

John Farson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Muncie → Indy Brookside

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA142

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain directional control during hover taxi. Inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the light rain, and the light pole were factors in the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter contacted a light pole during an off airport takeoff. The pilot reported that a light rain was present when he was hover taxiing toward an open parking lot for takeoff to the north. He stated that as the helicopter lifted into hover position the wind moved the aircraft to the right. According to the pilot, the rain on the windshield prevented him from seeing the 27 foot high light pole in front to the right and the main rotor blade struck the light pole six inches from the tip end of the blade. The pilot reported that the helicopter subsequently rolled over and caught fire. He and one passenger exited the aircraft without injury. The wind was reported to be 340 degrees at 13 knots at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.