Accident Details
On 8 August 1998, a Westland-Bell 47 G-3 helicopter was destroyed in an accident at the Finow airfield. The helicopter, operated by its owner-pilot for a private sightseeing flight with two passengers, was taking off from the runway into the wind, climbing in a low-altitude trajectory over the taxiway.
Flight Sequence
After accelerating to 40–60 km/h and initiating a climb, the helicopter passed over a hangar or shelter located directly ahead on the planned takeoff path. At that point, the helicopter began to yaw uncontrollably to the right. After several rotations, it struck the ground. All occupants evacuated before the helicopter caught fire and was completely consumed by the flames.
Investigation Findings
The investigatory body found no evidence of technical defects. All damage was attributed directly to the accident sequence. Based on statements from the pilot and knowledgeable passengers, a technical cause was considered unlikely.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the accident was likely due to a pilot error: during the climb, the pilot did not sufficiently monitor the rotor rpm and failed to notice—or noticed too late—a drop in rpm. This reduction in rotor speed diminished the effectiveness of the tail rotor, causing the helicopter to yaw. Given the low altitude above the shelter, recovery from the emergency was virtually impossible.