NEW PHILADELPHI, OH, USA
N2988W
BELL 47G-5A
WHILE PATROLLING A POWERLINE, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT, WHICH SEEMED TO COME FROM DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FIREWALL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT, THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO PITCH UP AND ROLL TO THE RIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER REACHED AN ATTITUDE OF ABOUT 60 DEGREES NOSE UP AND 15 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, THEN ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. WITH THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED, HE WAS ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF THE POWERLINES, BUT CRASH LANDED IN THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED A FAILURE OF A BOLT, PN 20-057-4-15D, IN THE FORE/AFT CYCLIC SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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