Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On September 10, 1996, approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N1335X, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Rangely, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the business flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated near Rangely approximately 1530.

The following is based on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report and a conversation the pilot had with an FAA inspector. The pilot was working under a Bureau of Land Management contract. While attempting to turn some horses, he applied excessive aft cyclic control and the tail rotor struck a large sage brush. Directional control was lost and the helicopter turned right. The pilot attempted a "hovering autorotation" from 15 feet and a hard landing ensued. The main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom, and the right skid collapsed. the pilot's excessive cyclic control input during a low altitude operation, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from high vegetation (sage brush). The proximity of high vegetation was a related factor.