SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
N4242A
BELL 47G-2
THE PLT WAS IN THE LOCAL PATTERN PRACTICING MANEUVERS. AFTER COMPLETING A QUICK STOP MANEUVER & HOVERING, ANOTHER TAKEOFF WAS INITIATED. THE PLT STATED THAT IT SEEMED TO TAKE AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF FORWARD CYCLIC TO INITIATE FORWARD FLT. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH FULL FORWARD CYCLIC WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FORWARD FLT. THE ACFT STOPPED SHORT OF THE LANDING SPOT & STARTED BACKING UP. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER. THE BROKEN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FORE & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL, P/N 47-724-132-1, WAS EXAMINED & FOUND TO BE A VERY POOR QUALITY CASTING. COLD SHUTS & SHRINKAGE CAVITIES WERE OBSERVED ON OVER APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FORE & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL FAILED BY A SLOW FRACTURE PROCESS INITIATED BY THE PRESENCE OF LARGE CASTING DEFECTS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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