Bell 47G3B2A accident near Dyer, Nevada, June 22, 1989
On June 22, 1989 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Bell 47G3B2A (helicopter), registered N59414, was destroyed in an accident near Dyer, Nevada. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS POOR PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING A HOVER IN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ROTOR ROM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 1989 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Dyer, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G3B2A · all 47G3B2As on the register
- Registration
- N59414 · no longer on the register · serial 6870
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT OVER STEEP SLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN HIGH DENSITY ALT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN FURTHER DECAY OF ROTOR RPM, AND IMPACT WITH TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOTS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION OF THE ACCIDENT: 'AVOID OPERATIONS AT HOVER WHERE LANDING IS NOT POSSIBLE.'
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 380 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,445 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 1988; 120 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-F1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: BIH Bishop CA at 3:40 pm
- Destination: BIH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 045° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:48 pm from BIH, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.