Bell 47G-2 accident near Huntsville, Alabama, July 23, 1987
On July 23, 1987 at about 10:35 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N972B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Huntsville, Alabama. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 1987 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N972B · registry record · serial 1320
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE WATER DURING A LOW-ALTITUDE TURN OVER A RIVER. THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS TO THE SOUTH OVER AN ISLAND AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL, TO SHOW THE ISLAND TO THE POLICEWOMAN/TRAFFIC OBSERVER ONBOARD. AS HE WAS MAKING A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 40 KTS IAS TO PASS BACK OVER THE ISLAND, THE ACFT ROLLED EXCESSIVELY IN THE DIRECTION OF TURN AND THE NOSE BEGAN TO 'TUCK'. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY APPLYING OPPOSITE CYCLIC ONLY. HE DID NOT INCREASE THE PWR OR ADD COLLECTIVE PITCH. HE DID NOT REMEMBER IF HE USED ANY LEFT PEDAL TO ASSIST IN COUNTERACTING THE EXCESSIVE TURNING. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER IN A SLIGHT, RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE, WITH THE NOSE LOW. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR RPM'S REMAINED 'IN THE GREEN' DURING THE MANEUVER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,600 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,591 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 6, 1987; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:47 pm from HSV, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL87LA222.