Aviation Crash Map

Bell 47G-3B-1 N203SD

21 August 1992 · Marshall, Indiana, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 21 August 1992 at about 22:31 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N203SD, operated by Rainbow Plastics, Inc., was involved in an accident near Marshall, Indiana, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 22:31
Classification
Accident
Location
Marshall, Indiana, United States
Coordinates
39.8398, -87.1803
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-1
Registration
N203SD
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Rainbow Plastics, Inc.
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI92LA249

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 0 1 0 1

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING HOW HE USED THE HELICOPTER TO POLLINATE CORN; THE DEMONSTRATION WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT 25 FT AGL OVER A CROP FIELD. AT THE END OF THE FIELD THE PILOT PULLED THE HELICOPTER UP SHARPLY AT A STEEP ANGLE AND TURNED LEFT. THE HELICOPTER INSTANTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S EMERGENCY TOXICOLOGY SCREEN SHOWED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 215 MG/DL, AND A POSITIVE DETECTION OF CANNABINOID IN HIS URINE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Apr 1992 Bell 47-D-1
N322A
Fayette, Mississippi, United States Darre J. Ward Minor injuries -
11 Oct 1992 Bell 47-D1
N162B
El Monte, California, United States Ochwatt, Robert & Edward No injuries -
14 Jun 1992 Bell 47G-2
N6746D
Danbury, Texas, United States Salaika, Timothy A. No injuries -
21 Jun 1992 Bell 47-G5A
N211CB
Pago Pago
no coordinates
Zeta Fishing Company Serious injuries -
15 Aug 1992 Bell 47G-2
N2880B
Slocomb, Alabama, United States Diamond, John J. Serious injuries -
24 Mar 1992 Bell 47G-2
N2831B
Pikeville, Kentucky, United States Sammy D. Goff No injuries -

All 1,633 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
8 Sep 1992 Piper PA-61-601P
N717BB
Aurora, Indiana, United States Brent J. Black Fatal 1
21 Dec 1992 Carlson SPARROW II
N6648Y
Lafontaine, Indiana, United States William A. Thompson No injuries -
8 Jan 1992 British BAE-ATP
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Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Air Wisconsin Airlines No injuries -
3 Oct 1992 Cessna 172P
N51829
Kokomo, Indiana, United States Rhoades Aviation, Inc No injuries -
22 Oct 1992 Cessna C177B
N35230
Noblesville, Indiana, United States Jacobi/Bittner/Boice, ET al No injuries -
11 Jan 1992 Beechcraft A36
N15PM
Griffith, Indiana, United States Dalsanto, James A No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States