National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Timmonsville, SC Accident Number: ERA17FA164

Date & Time: 04/21/2017, 1630 EDT Registration: N865Z
Aircraft: BELL-CARSON 47G SUPER C 4 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Air Drop

On April 21, 2017, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a privately owned and operated Bell-
Carson Super C-4 helicopter, N865Z, was destroyed by collision with trees, terrain, and a post-
crash fire at a private airstrip in Timmonsville, South Carolina. The private pilot was fatally
injured. The local flight departed the Huggins Memorial Airport (58J), Timmonsville, South
Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the
personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 91.

According to family members, the purpose of the flight was to conduct a "golf ball drop" at a
fundraising event about 13 miles northwest of the accident site.

A witness who was at his private airfield residence located about mile from the accident site,
was outside, heard the helicopter nearby, and thought it may have been approaching his
airfield. He was unable to see the helicopter due to the tree line that blocked his view. He said
"at first you could hear the rotor blades, then they got quieter and the engine sound got
louder." He then "heard the rotors hitting the trees and the explosion of the crash." Shortly
thereafter he observed a black plume of smoke rising from his neighbor's yard.

The helicopter was examined at the accident site, and all major components were accounted for
at the scene. The wreckage path was oriented about 325 magnetic and was about 90 feet in
length. The initial impact point was in a treetop about 60 feet above the ground at the edge of
tree line. The tail rotor personnel guard and left horizontal stabilizer were found near the base
of the damaged tree.

The initial ground scar was about 90 feet beyond the first tree strike, and the main wreckage
came to rest about 10 feet beyond that point, and about 300 feet prior to the approach end of
the grass runway which was oriented 330/150.

The helicopter came to rest inverted, oriented about 210 and was partially consumed by fire.
The tail boom, with tail rotor gearbox attached was separated at the aft center frame, and
located about 50 feet southeast of the main wreckage. The right landing skid was separated
from both cross tubes and the left skid remained attached to the front cross tube.

Page 1 of 3 ERA17FA164
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
The engine, transmission and rotor mast remained together and partially attached to the
airframe and rotated about 90 aft. The main rotor hub remained mounted to the mast with
both blade grips attached. The wooden main rotor blades were fragmented, with pieces
scattered about the crash site. The metal spar and a 10-foot-long section of blade forward of the
spar, remained attached to one of the blade grips. The metal spar and a one-foot section of
blade remained attached to the other blade grip.

The tail rotor driveshaft was bent upward just forward of the tail rotor gearbox input quill and
tree bark was observed in the bend. The tail rotor driveshaft and gearbox would not rotate due
to impact damage. After removal, the tail rotor gearbox rotated freely by hand.

Both cyclic control pedestal assemblies were damaged and found separated from their mounts.
The assembly found near the left side of the helicopter had the cyclic control stick attached, the
one found near the right side of the helicopter did not. Remnants of the collective control stick
were found separated from the structure and mostly consumed by fire. The left and right pairs
of anti-torque pedals remained attached to one another, separated from the helicopter
structure. Two cables were found attached to the damaged tail rotor quadrant, they were
continuous to overload breaks at the aft center frame. One cable was found attached to the tail
rotor pitch control assembly with an overload break near the forward end of the tail boom. The
tail rotor pitch control mechanism moved smoothly when the cable was pulled.

The engine accessory section was damaged and fragments of the engine case were separated,
exposing the accessory gears. The starter, hydraulic pump, and both magnetos were separated
from the engine and fire damaged. The carburetor was partially attached to the engine, the
mixture control remained attached, the throttle control input rod end was fractured consistent
with overload. The carburetor heat plenum was separated from its mount, the control cable
remained attached to the plenum. The engine remained attached to the transmission.

The helicopter's maintenance records were not immediately recovered and the maintenance
history of the helicopter could not be determined. Burned pages consistent with maintenance
records were found throughout the area of the main wreckage.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a

private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter.
His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on September 26, 2014, at
which time he reported 3,600 total hours of flight experience.

At 1653, the reported weather at Florence Regional Airport (FLO), Florence, South Carolina,
about 14 miles east of the accident site included few clouds at 6,500 feet and wind from 220 at
12 knots. Visibility was 10 statute miles, the temperature was 31 C, and the dew point was 15
C.

The helicopter was retained for further examination.

Page 2 of 3 ERA17FA164
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: BELL-CARSON Registration: N865Z
Model/Series: 47G SUPER C 4 Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file Air Carrier Operating None
Certificate:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FLO, 151 ft msl Observation Time: 1653 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 31C / 15C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6500 ft agl Wind Speed/Gusts, 12 knots, 220
Direction:
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: TIMMONSVILLE, SC (58J) Destination: TIMMONSVILLE, SC (58J)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 34.181944, -80.004167
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Douglass P Brazy
Additional Participating Persons: Neil J Baker; FAA/FSDO; Columbia, SC
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Page 3 of 3 ERA17FA164
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.