SERS · Bell 47G-3B-1 · 1997-07-13 · CROSSETT, AR, USA
Event
NTSB number
FTW97LA264
Event ID
20001208X08378
Type
Accident
Date
1997-07-13
Location
CROSSETT, AR, USA
Coordinates
33.119609, -91.959625
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
1
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Bell
Model
47G-3B-1
Registration
N83701
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAWN
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
failure of maintenance personnel to perform an adequate inspection of the fuselage center frame and detect a fatigue fracture of a longeron tube on the upper left side of the center frame, which resulted in a disconnect of the tail rotor drive shaft from the transmission, loss of yaw (anti-torque) control, and a subsequent hard (emergency) landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.