ARLINGTON HTS, IL, USA
N4032G
BELL 47
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS THE PILOT OF THE SECOND HELICOPTER IN A FLIGHT OF TWO HELICOPTERS LANDING AT THE ARLINGTON PARK RACE TRACK'S PARKING LOT. AS HE APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE, HE GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE LEAD HELICOPTER. HE SLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO ALMOST A HOVER AND THEN TRIED TO MAKE A STEEP APPROACH TO THE ZONE. HE REPORTED THAT HIS AIRSPEED WAS TOO SLOW AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO SETTLING WITH POWER AND LANDED HARD.
On August 12, 1995, at 1025 central daylight time, a Bell-47, N4032G, operated by Clark Enviromental Misquito Management, sustained substantial damage as a result of a hard landing. The helicopter was going to be used as a static display aircraft at the Arlington Park Race Track, located in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the Clarke Heliport en route to the Arlington Park Race Track. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was the pilot of the second helicopter in a flight of two helicopters landing at the Arlington Park Race Track's parking lot. As he approached the landing zone, he got too close to the lead helicopter. He slowed the helicopter to almost a hover and then tried to make a steep approach to the zone. He reported that his airspeed was too slow and the helicopter went into settling with power. The helicopter landed hard on the pavement.
plot misjudged the flare. The factors included the pilot getting too close to the lead helicopter, allowing his airspeed to get too slow, and encountering settling with power.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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