Pilot Debrief

BELL 47G near Torrance, CA — 2011-04-06

Final reportWPR11LA190
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Date
2011-04-06
Location
Torrance, CA, USA
Airport
TOA
Aircraft
BELL 47G
Registration
N9FK
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

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

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after loss of control began.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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