Bell 47G-2A-1 accident near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, August 14, 1989
On August 14, 1989 at about 11:07 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2A-1 (helicopter), registered N49HB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXCEED THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, AND OPERATING OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PLAN PROPERLY FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT ARE FACTORS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 1989 · about 11:07 pm local time
- Place
- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2A-1 · all 47G-2A-1s on the register
- Registration
- N49HB · registry record · serial 3562
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, OPERATING AS AN AERIAL SIGHT-SEEING CONCESSION, FAILED TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT AND LANDED HARD AFTER ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM A RAISED HELIPAD (PINNACLE). THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS TOO HEAVILY LOADED TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT THE DENSITY ATTITUDE (2500 FEET) OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS OUTSIDE OF THE ALLOWABLE RANGE. THE PILOT STATED DURING AN INTERVIEW THAT HE PERCEIVED A POWER LOSS AFTER CLEARING THE PINNACLE AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF FROM THE PINNACLE IN A GENERALLY EASTERLY DIRECTION. WHEN THE PILOT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF, HE DESCRIBED THEM AS WESTERLY AT APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8 KNOTS.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,509 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 2,314 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,463 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 25, 1988; 35 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-A1F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WS07 Wisconsin Dells WI at 6:07 pm
- Destination: WS07
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 pm from VOK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.