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NTSB Report
May 30, 1988 · Bell 47G3B1 · N48181
Cove Gap, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cove Gap, PA
Aircraft
Bell 47G3B1
Tail Number
N48181
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88DGT02
THE HELICOPTER PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN AREA SURROUNDED BY TREES & BUILDINGS FOR A LOCAL SPRAY OPERATION. THE WIND WAS CALM. REPORTEDLY, DURING THE ATTEMPTED DEPARTURE, THE PLT 'EXHAUSTED ALL POWER AVAILABLE THEN MADE RIGHT TURN TO RETURN TO FIELD.' AFTER TURNING, THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE FIELD NEAR ITS EDGE, THEN THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN AREA SURROUNDED BY TREES & BUILDINGS FOR A LOCAL SPRAY OPERATION. THE WIND WAS CALM. REPORTEDLY, DURING THE ATTEMPTED DEPARTURE, THE PLT 'EXHAUSTED ALL POWER AVAILABLE THEN MADE RIGHT TURN TO RETURN TO FIELD.' AFTER TURNING, THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE FIELD NEAR ITS EDGE, THEN THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G3B1
Tail NumberN48181
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1B · Reciprocating · 270
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO