NEAR MERTZON, TX, USA
N73983
BELL 47G2A1
WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING HOVERED LOW AND SLOW AROUND A WATER TROUGH, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE GROUND AND ON TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT SKID BUCKLED AND THE TAILROTOR GEARBOX SEPARATED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ANT HILL. THE PILOT ORIGINALLY REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE TAILROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE FATIGUE. HOWEVER METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED PARTS INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE FRACTURES HAD OCCURED IN OVERLOAD. THE REPORTED WINDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO LOSS OF TAILROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AT LOWER AIRSPEEDS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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