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NTSB Report
April 14, 1990 · Bell 47G-4A · N2238W
Bixby, OK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bixby, OK
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N2238W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90DPJ05
AFTER THE AG PILOT FINISHED HIS LOAD, HE HEADED BACK TO THE TRUCK FOR HIS FINAL LOAD. AS HE PASSED UNDER A POWERLINE HE HEARD A LOUD BANG OR POP, AND THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RIGHT. HE SAID HE HEARD THE WHEAT HITTING THE SKID BOOMS, AND THEN THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD ON THE TOES OF THE SKIDS. HIS SEAT BELT FAILED AND HE WAS THROWN THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE HELICOPTER. HE SAID HE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS DEMOLISHED BY IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE. THE FAA INVESTIGATORS SAID THAT DUE TO THE DAMAE CAUSED BY THE IMPACT, DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE FIRE, AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE WRECKAGE, THEY COULD NOT FIND A COMPONENT FAILURE THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST SKID MARKS STARTED UNDER THE POWERLINES, BUT THE POWER LINES WERE NOT DAMAGED.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO UNDETERMINED MECHANICAL FAILURE.
Full Narrative
AFTER THE AG PILOT FINISHED HIS LOAD, HE HEADED BACK TO THE TRUCK FOR HIS FINAL LOAD. AS HE PASSED UNDER A POWERLINE HE HEARD A LOUD BANG OR POP, AND THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RIGHT. HE SAID HE HEARD THE WHEAT HITTING THE SKID BOOMS, AND THEN THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD ON THE TOES OF THE SKIDS. HIS SEAT BELT FAILED AND HE WAS THROWN THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE HELICOPTER. HE SAID HE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS DEMOLISHED BY IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE. THE FAA INVESTIGATORS SAID THAT DUE TO THE DAMAE CAUSED BY THE IMPACT, DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE FIRE, AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE WRECKAGE, THEY COULD NOT FIND A COMPONENT FAILURE THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST SKID MARKS STARTED UNDER THE POWERLINES, BUT THE POWER LINES WERE NOT DAMAGED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN2238W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO 540 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourcePILO