Bell-K Copter 47G-2 N7766

Summary

On 28 April 1993 at about 12:45 local time, a Bell-K Copter 47G-2 registered N7766, operated by Arnold, DON, was involved in an accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 April 1993 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

36.0594, -90.9507

Aircraft

Bell-K Copter 47G-2

Registration

N7766

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Arnold, DON

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW93LA139

Nobody was injured.

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OF WIRES. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING AGRICULTURE SPRAYING OPERATIONS THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A SET OF ELECTRICAL POWER LINES WITH THE TAILBOOM. THE WIRES CUT THROUGH THE SKIN AND CONTACTED THE TAILROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL THE PILOT REDUCED POWER BY ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE. TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE TO A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SAW THE WIRES JUST PRIOR TO CONTACT; HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT AVOID THEM

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.