Accident Bell 47G-2A N3951U, Saturday 17 August 1985

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Date:	Saturday 17 August 1985
Time:	16:40 LT
Type:	Bell 47G-2A
Owner/operator:	Metropolitan Helicopter, Inc.
Registration:	N3951U
MSN:	1376
Total airframe hrs:	12302 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming V0-435-A1B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Sedalia, MO - 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 PLT WAS TAKING 2 PASSENGERS ON A HELICOPTER RIDE AT A FAIR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE ENCOUNTERED A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, SO HE REDUCED POWER & LANDED. BEFORE COMING TO REST, THE TAIL OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A VAN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE INNER BEARING (PN 47-620-605-001) OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE HAD FAILED, THEN THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. AD 81-04-03, AMENDMENT 39-4029 BECAME EFFECTIVE ON 2/2/81 TO REPLACE THE BEARING IN THE NEXT 600 HRS OF SERVICE. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER HAD ACCUMULATED LESS THAN 600 HRS SINCE THAT DATE.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: