Bell 47G 3B 1 accident near Carson City, Nevada, February 13, 2016
On February 13, 2016 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 1966 Bell 47G 3B 1 (helicopter), registered N1181W, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Carson City, Nevada (Carson airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 13, 2016 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Carson City, Nevada · Carson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G 3B 1 T, built 1966 · all 47G 3B 1s on the register
- Registration
- N1181W · registry record · serial 2948
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings to a taxiway. The pilot reported that, during his fourth landing attempt and as he was transitioning to a hover, he noticed that the helicopter's main rotor rpm was slightly low, and he attempted to increase the rpm by adding power. However, the helicopter did not respond and settled onto the taxiway. The pilot then raised the collective to bring the helicopter back to a hover, but the rotor rpm was still low. The pilot continued to try and add power, but the helicopter drifted right, and the right skid then contacted the ground off the side of the taxiway, which resulted in a dynamic rollover and substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The pilot stated that he was new to this type of helicopter, and it is likely that he allowed the main rotor rpm to decay to a point from which he was unable to recover. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Dynamic rollover during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 393 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 217 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 24, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,222.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2016; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A (piston); 4,182 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXP Carson City NV at 9:00 pm
- Destination: CXP Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KCXP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N1181W the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.