On December 4, 1998, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (registration N3084G) was involved in an aviation accident near Winterhaven, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm. A factor was his attempt to take off over gross weight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter's tailboom was severed after main rotor blades flexed downward during a bounced landing caused by left skid digging into mud. The pilot reported no mechanical or engine issues.
Overview
An agricultural helicopter sustained damage when its main rotor blades severed the tailboom during a landing attempt in a muddy field. The incident occurred after approximately three hours of spraying operations.
Sequence of Events
The pilot attempted to take off while the helicopter was at or above its maximum gross weight. During the takeoff, rotor rpm began to decay. The helicopter was positioned perpendicular to the furrowed rows in the field. When the pilot attempted to land, the left skid dug into the mud. The aircraft then bounced forward, causing the main rotor blades to flex downward and sever the tailboom.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that no mechanical discrepancies were observed with the aircraft prior to the accident. He also reported experiencing no problems with the engine during the event.