On August 17, 1997, a Bell 47G (registration N9571) was involved in an aviation accident near Wellpinit, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter's main rotor blade contacted a bank while landing on a gravel bar along the Spokane River, causing the aircraft to drop and tumble onto rocks. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.
Accident Sequence
During a landing on a gravel bar located on a bank of the Spokane River, a helicopter's main rotor blade made contact with the bank. The helicopter subsequently dropped and tumbled onto the rocks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
According to records from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was operating a restricted-category aircraft on a personal flight. No further details about the aircraft or pilot were provided.
Medical Certificate Status
The pilot's FAA Third Class Medical Certificate had expired approximately eight months prior to the accident. The source did not specify whether this expiration had any bearing on the event.