Bell 47G-3B-1 N48316

Summary

On 10 July 1995 at about 12:00 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N48316, operated by Atlantic Blueberry Company, was involved in an accident near Hammonton, New Jersey, 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

10 July 1995 at 12:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hammonton, New Jersey, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N48316

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Atlantic Blueberry Company

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hammanton → Mays Landing

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC95LA147

1 person died.

failure of the collective yoke bearing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: the manufacturer's inadequate inspection interval of the yoke bearing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the end of an aerial application mission, the helicopter was refueled, and the pilot departed for home base. A few minutes after takeoff, the helicopter collided with trees. Examination of the engine and drive train revealed no preimpact failure; however, the collective pitch control yoke bearing had failed. The ball bearings and race in the yoke bearing were observed to be pitted, and the ball bearings were worn undersized. The last inspection of the yoke bearing occurred about 9 years and 839 flight hours before the accident, during the 1,200 hour inspection. The yoke bearing was not required to be inspected during the recent 600 hour inspection. The bearing was an on-condition item, and did not have a scheduled time change. The bearing could not be inspected, while installed on the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.