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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

August 29, 1998 · Bell 47D1 · N4702S

Dawson, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dawson, GA
Aircraft
Bell 47D1
Tail Number
N4702S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA230

The pilot stated that as he approached his load truck to land, debris started blowing around and the helicopter suddenly started spinning to the right. He had no tail rotor control when he applied left pedal. He then maneuvered away from the truck and the helicopter crashed to the ground. The tail rotor had been damaged by the flying debris resulting in the loss of control.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing resulting in debris being blown up during landing resulting in damage to the tail rotor and loss of control.

Full Narrative

On August 29, 1998, about 1010 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47D1, N4702S, registered to an individual, was damaged during landing at Dawson, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the accident site, the same day, about 1000. The pilot stated that he took off from a trailer and flew over the area that was to be sprayed. He then flew back to the staging area. As he approached his load truck to land, debris started blowing around and the helicopter suddenly started spinning to the right. He had no tail rotor control when he applied left pedal. He pulled back on the cyclic control to get away from the truck and the helicopter came to rest on the ground about 100 feet away.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47D1
Tail NumberN4702S
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V-335-A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 4 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:11
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data