Bell 47G-3B-1 N22MP

Summary

On 20 April 2006 at about 20:18 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N22MP, operated by Dennis G. Madonna, was involved in an accident near East Hanover Tw, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 April 2006 at 20:18

Classification

Accident

Location

East Hanover Tw, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Sky Classics Field (7PS4)

Coordinates

40.3803, -76.6161

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N22MP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Dennis G. Madonna

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grantville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06FA100

2 people died.

The pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the tailwind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting an out-of-ground effect hover over his property, while the passenger took photographs. At the time, the reciprocating engine helicopter was about 200 feet agl, in an approximate 5 to 10-knot tailwind. The tail of the helicopter began to oscillate left and right, followed by a nose-down descent and impact with a building and terrain. Although the tail oscillated, the helicopter did not spin. The weight of the helicopter at the time of the accident was approximately 2,570 lbs, which was under the 2,850-lb. maximum gross weight of the helicopter. Review of the rotorcraft flight manual revealed that the helicopter was on the edge of the performance envelope, where it could hover out-of-ground-effect at 2,500 lbs., under the given conditions, but not at 2,850 lbs., under the given conditions. In addition, the performance information did not contain any data for hovering out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and a tailwind may have required the use of more tail rotor thrust to maintain directional control, which meant there was less power available to the main rotor for the production of lift. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.