Bell 47-D1 N1016A

Summary

On 29 July 1998 at about 23:45 local time, a Bell 47-D1 registered N1016A, operated by Paul M. Trost, was involved in an accident near Monticello, Mississippi, 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

29 July 1998 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Monticello, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

31.5504, -90.1094

Aircraft

Bell 47-D1

Registration

N1016A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Paul M. Trost

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA98LA214

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering resulting in the main rotor blades striking the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering during an aerial application, the pilot said that he was attempting to clear some power lines when he reported that the engine lost power and the rotor rpm dropped, resulting in a loss of control. The helicopter struck the ground sideways, and rolled over, causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed that fuel was present. The FAA inspector said, '...when he [pilot] attempted to climb over the powerlines to his left, he seemed have lost power and the aircraft came back down on [the] right side and [the] blade struck the ground and he crashed. According to the FAA inspector's report the pilot lost control of the helicopter, and no discrepancies could be found with the airframe or the engine. The pilot did not return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2. His factual account of the accident are not known.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.