Pilot Debrief

BELL 47G-2A near Austin, IN — 2012-07-27

Final reportCEN12CA484
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Date
2012-07-27
Location
Austin, IN, USA
Aircraft
BELL 47G-2A
Registration
N652HA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain during a low-level aerial application flight and lost control of the helicopter.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was on his third aerial application pass when he momentarily glanced over at his global positioning system and the left spray boom struck the ground. The pilot said the spray boom wiggled back and forth before it folded back into the tailboom. The helicopter then began to spin to the right, and the pilot initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard but remained upright. Examination of the helicopter revealed the spray boom, tail rotor, and tail rotor gear box had completely separated from the airframe. The fuselage and main rotor blades were also damaged. The operator reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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