On October 28, 1989, a Bell 47G (registration N6359E) was involved in an aviation accident near West Palm Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter was damaged when it struck the ground during a hover turn, after the pilot initiated a left pedal turn that resulted in an abrupt nose pitch-down. The aircraft was loaded to its maximum allowable moment arm.
Event Overview
A helicopter was damaged during a hover maneuver when the pilot attempted a left pedal turn at an estimated 6-foot hover. The pilot reported that after approaching for landing into the wind, he hovered the helicopter and commenced a left pedal turn to a heading of approximately 220 degrees. On this heading, the wind was from the right rear. The pilot stated that the helicopter's nose pitched down abruptly. He applied full aft cyclic and collective pitch, followed by right pedal input in an attempt to turn the helicopter into the wind. Subsequently, the helicopter contacted the ground with the right skid in a nose-low attitude, resulting in damage.
Wind Conditions
The pilot estimated the wind at the accident site was from 330 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 25 knots. About 8 miles away at Palm Beach International Airport, the reported wind was from 360 degrees at 17 knots.
Aircraft Loading
The helicopter had been loaded to its maximum allowable moment arm at the time of the accident.