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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 25, 2002 · Bell 47G-2 · N5193B

Edmondson, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Edmondson, AR
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N5193B
Operator
Ag Copters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW02LA264

The 5,450-hour commercial pilot had completed an aerial application on a cotton field, and was en route to the staging area when one of helicopter's main rotor blades contacted a wire as the pilot attempted to fly under a set of high voltage power lines. The helicopter impacted soft terrain, became inverted adjacent to the power lines where a post impact fire consumed most of the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high voltage power lines.

Full Narrative

On September 25, 2002, at 1412 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 agricultural helicopter, N5193B, was destroyed when it impacted a wire and terrain while maneuvering near Edmondson, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Ag Copters, Inc., of Jupiter, Florida. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a staging area near Edmondson, at 1404. The operator reported that the 5,450-hour pilot had completed spraying a cotton field, located approximately 3/8 of a mile from the staging area. During the return flight to the staging area, one of helicopter's main rotor blades contacted a wire as the pilot attempted to fly under a set of high voltage power lines. The helicopter impacted soft terrain inverted adjacent to the power lines where a post-impact fire consumed most of the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed one main rotor blades was separated approximately two feet outboard of the main rotor hub. The top assembly of the main transmission with the other main rotor blade was separated from the aircraft and was located adjacent to the main wreckage. Inspection of the high voltage power lines revealed one of the wires was damaged. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory on September 27, 2002. According to the report, "the cause of death...[was] multiple traumatic injuries." Toxicological tests performed by the Federal Aviation Administration's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) were negative for carbon monoxide and alcohol. ACETAMINOPHEN was detected in the Urine at an amount of 10.69 (ug/ml, ug/g).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:12 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN5193B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAg Copters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data