Bell 47G/TOMCAT MK5 N73871

Summary

On 6 November 1989 at about 19:38 local time, a Bell 47G/TOMCAT MK5 registered N73871, operated by Ag-Rotor Inc, was involved in an accident near Elberton, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 November 1989 at 19:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Elberton, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

34.0997, -82.8597

Aircraft

Bell 47G/TOMCAT MK5

Registration

N73871

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Ag-Rotor Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL90DKG02

1 person died.

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SPRAYING OPERATION IN SUPPORT OF A FEDERAL BOLLWEEVIL ERADICATION PROGRAM. THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING A COTTON FIELD AT 500 FT AGL WHEN THE OWNER BELIEVES HE SAW THE HELICOPTER TURN AWAY. IT THEN WAVERED LATERALLY RIGHT TO LEFT, A LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED, ALL ENGINE NOISE CEASED AND THE HELICOPTER APPEARED TO FALL STRAIGHT DOWN. FIVE SECONDS LATER, A CRASHING SOUND WAS HEARD. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL IN THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES. HOWEVER, THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH ABOUT 25 GALLONS OF FUEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE WITH THE TEMP BEING 74 DEGS AND THE DEWPOINT AT 6O DEGS. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF AN ATTEMPTED AUTOROTATIVE PROCEDURE OR A MECHANICAL FAILURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.