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NTSB Report
July 5, 1983 · Bell 47G-4A · N7069J
Wheeler, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wheeler, IL
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N7069J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83LA292
THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS RETURNING FOR ANOTHER LOAD OF CHEMICALS, THE ENG MISSED A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN SMOOTHED OUT FOR ABOUT 1 MIN. AFTER THAT, THE ENG MISSED AGAIN, THEN QUIT WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 150 FT AGL. THE PLT CHOSE TO CLEAR OVER CORN & LAND IN A BEAN FIELD. WHILE CLEARING THE CORN, HIS ROTOR RPM DECAYED, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM. ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK SUMPS & RUST WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL VALVE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS RETURNING FOR ANOTHER LOAD OF CHEMICALS, THE ENG MISSED A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN SMOOTHED OUT FOR ABOUT 1 MIN. AFTER THAT, THE ENG MISSED AGAIN, THEN QUIT WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 150 FT AGL. THE PLT CHOSE TO CLEAR OVER CORN & LAND IN A BEAN FIELD. WHILE CLEARING THE CORN, HIS ROTOR RPM DECAYED, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM. ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK SUMPS & RUST WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL VALVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN7069J
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO