Bell 47G N9FK

Summary

On 6 April 2011 at about 20:55 local time, a Bell 47G registered N9FK, operated by Rodriguez Danny, was involved in an accident near Torrance, California, United States. One person was on board and one 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

6 April 2011 at 20:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Torrance, California, United States

Nearest airport

Zamperini Field (TOA)

Coordinates

33.8036, -118.3439

Aircraft

Bell 47G

Registration

N9FK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Rodriguez Danny

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Torrance → Hawthorne

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA190

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot did not maintain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that he applied power and pitch for takeoff and lifted up about 2 to 3 feet while starting a pedal turn to the right. He said that the helicopter then abruptly started to turn hard to the right and that he then had no control over the helicopter, so he immediately lowered the collective to stop the rotation. When the helicopter touched down, it immediately rolled onto its right side, shattering the cabin bubble and the main rotor blades. An airport operations employee heard the noise and responded to assist the pilot. He said that the pilot told him that he was in a hover just above the ground and that he “was cleared for takeoff and it just went over.” No gusts were reported on the day of the accident. The pilot did not report any known preimpact mechanical discrepancies with the helicopter. It is likely that the pilot simultaneously performed a right-pedal turn while transitioning to forward flight at too low an altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.