CHULA VISTA, CA, USA
N2618D
Bell 47G-3B-2
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT OVER LAND IN A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH A FLOAT LANDING GEAR. HIS FIRST AUTOROTATION WAS TERMINATED WITH A POWER RECOVERY. DURING HIS SECOND AUTOROTATION THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS AUTOROTATIVE LANDING FLARE AND THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH A FORWARD GROUND SPEED AND TUMBLED ALONG ITS GROUND PATH.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED AND MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE ALTITUDE. THE POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FLOAT EQUIPPED HELICOPTER WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
