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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 8, 1996 · Bell 47G-5 · N8591F

Carver, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Carver, MA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5
Tail Number
N8591F
Operator
Wiggins Airways
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA145

The helicopter collided with power lines after the pilot completed an aerial spray run of a cranberry bog. According to the pilot, '...As I was departing the bog, I saw wires directly in front of me. I pulled back on the cyclic and raised the collective to try to fly over the wires. I cleared the wires initially, but could not recover from the maneuver before contacting the ground. The wind was behind me, and when at the top of the pull-up, I realized I couldn't fly out of it, and did a right 180 degree pedal turn, and lowered the nose to dive into the wind, I hit the ground in a level attitude before I could complete the maneuver.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate visual look out for obstacles, which resulted in a collision with wires and the ground.

Full Narrative

On July 8, 1996, at 1240 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-5, a helicopter, N8591F, was substantially damaged when it collided with wires after takeoff from a cranberry bog, near Carver, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight that was destined for Plymouth, Massachusetts. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: "...I had just finished fertilizing the 'telephone' piece of the Smith-Hammond bog...As I was departing the bog, I saw wires directly in front of me. I pulled back on the cyclic and raised the collective to try to fly over the wires. I cleared the wires initially, but could not recover from the maneuver before contacting the ground. The wind was from behind me, and when at the top of the pull-up I realized I couldn't fly out of it, and did a right 180 degree pedal turn and lowered the nose to dive into the wind. I hit the ground in a level attitude before I could complete the maneuver..." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the helicopter struck the wires between the poles. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction of the helicopter's systems or controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-5
Tail NumberN8591F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWiggins Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:34
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data