Aviation Crash Map

Bell 47G-2 N1968H

24 June 1995 · Zillah, Washington, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 24 June 1995 at about 00:00 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N1968H was involved in an accident near Zillah, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 00:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Zillah, Washington, United States
Coordinates
46.4108, -120.2299
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Registration
N1968H
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 137: Agricultural
Purpose of flight
Aerial Application
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Buena → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA95LA126

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 1 0 0

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PERFORM ADEQUATE INSPECTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ROD DUE TO CORROSION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 50 FT AGL WHEN HE SUDDENLY LOST LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ROLL LEFT DESPITE THE PILOT'S EFFORTS TO CORRECT. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TREES AND THE HELICOPTER CARTWHEELED INTO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A PORTION OF THE LEFT CYCLIC CONTROL ROD HAD FAILED. FURTHER METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. AN EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD NOT RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN OVER TWO YEARS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Nov 1995 Bell 47G-4A
N99138
Pacific Ocean
no coordinates
Z Fishing Company No injuries -
21 Sep 1995 Bell 47G
N616X
Union City, Tennessee, United States Gordon Wade No injuries -
10 Sep 1995 Bell 47G-3B2
N7942J
Yuma, Arizona, United States - No injuries -
26 Sep 1995 Bell 47G-3B1
N92HA
Union Church, Mississippi, United States Ward Aviation, Inc. Minor injuries -
1 Feb 1995 Bell 47G-4A
N6SR
El Indio, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
12 Aug 1995 Bell 47
N4032G
Arlington Hts, Illinois, United States
no coordinates
- Minor injuries -

All 1,633 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
4 Jul 1995 Hughes 369HS
N9196F
Orting, Washington, United States Helicopter Specialty Serious injuries -
5 Jul 1995 Cessna 182R
N4836E
Copalis Beach, Washington, United States - No injuries -
6 Jul 1995 Aero Commander S2R
N3662X
Odessa, Washington, United States Smith Air, Inc. No injuries -
3 Jul 1995 Champion 7GCBC
N1887G
Moses Lake, Washington, United States - Minor injuries -
9 Jul 1995 Wheeler KITFOX V
N24KF
Silvana, Washington, United States
no coordinates
- Fatal 2
15 Jul 1995 Piper PA-28-160
N5040W
Kent, Washington, United States
no coordinates
- No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States