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NTSB Report
July 11, 2008 · Bell 47G-3B · N73995
Port Edwards, WI
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Port Edwards, WI
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B
Tail Number
N73995
Operator
Reabe Spraying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08CA192
The commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was spraying a cranberry field. During a swath run, numerous bees entered the cockpit via the vent window. He was stung in the left arm twice, and as he tried to remove the bees, he inadvertently pitched the helicopter up. The helicopter climbed to about 35 feet above ground level and the rotor RPM decayed, and the airspeed went to about 30 MPH. The pilot attempted to return to level flight and added power, but he realized that the rotor RPM had decayed too much for a normal recovery. He reported that he "aggressively flared in an effort to reduce my groundspeed." During the flare, the tail boom struck the ground and then the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter yawed right and impacted the terrain.
NTSB Probable Cause
The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter when he inadvertently flared the helicopter and the rotor rpm decayed as a result of sustaining bee stings during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accidnet included the bees and the low altitude.
Full Narrative
The commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was spraying a cranberry field. During a swath run, numerous bees entered the cockpit via the vent window. He was stung in the left arm twice, and as he tried to remove the bees, he inadvertently pitched the helicopter up. The helicopter climbed to about 35 feet above ground level and the rotor RPM decayed, and the airspeed went to about 30 MPH. The pilot attempted to return to level flight and added power, but he realized that the rotor RPM had decayed too much for a normal recovery. He reported that he "aggressively flared in an effort to reduce my groundspeed." During the flare, the tail boom struck the ground and then the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter yawed right and impacted the terrain.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-3B
Tail NumberN73995
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorReabe Spraying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-AIF · Reciprocating
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0