Accident Bell 47G N3628G, Saturday 19 June 1993

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Date:	Saturday 19 June 1993
Time:	12:19 LT
Type:	Bell 47G
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N3628G
MSN:	808
Year of manufacture:	1960
Engine model:	FRANKLIN 6V-335
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Panama City, FL - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STARTED TO TAKE OFF WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF ROTOR RPM & OBSERVED A FENCE, JUST AHEAD. COLLECTIVE WAS INCREASED TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLE, THEN A RUN-ON LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE RIGHT FRONT SKID HIT A SMALL BUSH, THEN THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT & COLLIDED WITH A LARGE ROCK COVERED WITH SAND, AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. REVIEW OF WEATHER INFORMATION REVEALED NO RECORD OF TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, GUSTS, OR WINDSHEAR.

Probable Cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER TO ATTAIN EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FENCE & TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

Accident investigation: