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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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July 16, 2000 · Bell 47G-3B-1 · N83701

Holstein, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Holstein, NE
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-1
Tail Number
N83701
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA204

The helicopter impacted the terrain while maneuvering during aerial application flight. In a written statement, the pilot said, "On the third pass at the top of my turn the wind came up strongly from the E-NE and what airspeed I had at the top of the turn dissipated and became a tailwind of approximately 15-20 knots. I was diving back into the field now with a tailwind, out of translational lift and ended up with what I consider to be settling with power. At my current altitude of approximately 50-60 feet I did not have sufficient room to reenter translational lift and contacted the ground." A postaccident examination of the aircraft failed to reveal any anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition. A weather reporting station located about 17 miles and 037 degrees magnetic from the accident site reported at 0753 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots. The same reporting station reported at 0853 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots gusting to 19 knots. At 0900 cdt, the reporting station reported thunderstorms in the vicinity.

NTSB Probable Cause

the settling with power encountered by the pilot. A factor was the sudden windshift.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 2000, at 0900 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N83701, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain while maneuvering near Holstein, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The local flight originated from Campbell, Nebraska, just prior to the accident time. In a written statement, the pilot said, "As I made my second pass I noticed that I had a wind from the north [at] approx[imatley] 3-5 mph." He said, "On the third pass at the top of my turn the wind came up strongly from the E-NE and what airspeed I had at the top of the turn dissipated and became a tailwind of approx[imately] 15-20 knots. I was diving back into the field now with a tailwind, out of translational lift and ended up with what I consider to be settling with power. At my current altitude of approx[imately] 50-60 feet I did not have sufficient room to reenter translational lift and contacted the ground." During a postaccident examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, no anomalies were found that could be associated with a preexisting condition. A weather reporting station located about 17 miles and 037 degrees magnetic from the accident site reported at 0753 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots. The same reporting station reported at 0853 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots gusting to 19 knots. At 0900 cdt, the reporting station reported thunderstorms in the vicinity.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B-1
Tail NumberN83701
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 240

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 16 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data