# Accident 19891106046999A: Bell STC47, Elberton, GA, November 6, 1989

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 6, 1989, 14:38 local time
- Place: Elberton, GA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: GXLG
- Location: 34.0997° N, 82.8597° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0997&lon=-82.8597&mi=10
- Aircraft: N73871, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73871-2013-05-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell-Continental Copters 47G-ELTOMCAT MKII (registry code 1181062, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-continental-copters-47g-eltomcat-mkii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A4200 series (registry code 27027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL STC47
- Reported engine: LYC VO435A1F
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 16,000 total, 197 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL90DKG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG02) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106046999A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

HELICOPTER WAIVERED IN AIR. LOUD METALLIC SOUND AND THEN FELL TO THE GROUND. UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL90DKG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG02), Nov 6, 1989: Bell 47G/Tomcat MK5 (N73871), Elberton, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## Other reports on N73871 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19820702026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702026189A), Jul 2, 1982: Bell OH13HMK5A (N73871), Oswego, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot was distracted by bee stinging him during landing. Hard landing caused substantial damage.
- [Accident 19750812026039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750812026039A), Aug 12, 1975: Bell 47G3B1 (N73871), Pinewood, SC, Substantial damage

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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