Pilot Debrief

Scotts-Bell 47 Inc 47G-2A near Akeley, MN — 2012-07-25

Final reportCEN12LA480
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Date
2012-07-25
Location
Akeley, MN, USA
Aircraft
Scotts-Bell 47 Inc 47G-2A
Registration
N73252
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during low altitude agricultural operations.

NTSB narrative

The agricultural helicopter pilot reported he was on a “clean up” pass and descending toward the field over a set of power lines when he experienced a slight yaw to the right and felt a slight vibration that seemed to be coming from the rear of the helicopter. When he began to apply left pedal input, the helicopter immediately entered an excessively nose low attitude with increased right yaw. After the pilot applied aft cyclic control, the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side. An examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no preimpact anomalies or malfunctions, and there was no evidence that the helicopter had impacted the power lines. The source of the vibration could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the descent before experiencing loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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