Bell 47G-3B-1 N1390X
21 May 1990 · Lake Wales, Florida, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 21 May 1990 at about 12:50 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N1390X, operated by Highland Helicopter Service, was involved in an accident near Lake Wales, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 12:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lake Wales, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 27.8993, -81.5804
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1
- Registration
- N1390X
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Highland Helicopter Service
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA90LA125
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND A POWER LINE POLE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR A POWER LINE POLE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED IT CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND. IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE POST-CRASH FIRE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 47 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1990 | Bell 47J-2 | Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States | Pigeon Forge Helicopters, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 May 1990 | Bell 47G | Riverside, California, United States | Riverside Air Service | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1990 | Bell 47G-3B1 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | Badger Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 3 |
| 2 Apr 1990 | Bell 47G-3B-2 | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States | Western Helicopter Service | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Nov 1990 | Bell 47-G3-B | Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States | Firefly, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Sep 1990 | Bell 47G-3B1 | Canon City, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
All 1,633 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1990 | Lockheed L1329 | Miami, Florida, United States | Tokoph, David | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Cessna 172G | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Weeks, Milton D. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1990 | Piper PA-30 | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Calley, Nicholas O. | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Jupiter, Florida, United States | Zimmerman, Barry L. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1990 | Piper J-3 | Clewiston, Florida, United States | Nesbitt, James K. | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Dec 1990 | Beechcraft F33A | Lakeland, Florida, United States | Globe Aero Ltd. | No injuries | - |