# Accident 19980710016369A: Bell 47G, Jones, OK, July 10, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 10, 1998, 12:22 local time
- Place: Jones, OK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Unauth Low Level Opns
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: HMIA
- Location: 35.5610° N, 97.2903° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5610&lon=-97.2903&mi=10
- Aircraft: N12085, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12085-2000-02-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G (registry code 1181002, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Reported engine: FRNKLN 6V4200C32
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 8,394 total, 120 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98FA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA306) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980710016369A

## Narrative

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

(.4) THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED TREES DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT LOW ALTITUDE IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND AND A FIRE ERUPTED.  ABOARD WERE A 122-HOUR PRIVATE PILOT, WHO HAD JUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE CHECKRIDE FOR ADDITION OF A ROTORCRAFT RATING TO HIS CERTIFICATE, AND HIS 8,394-HOUR FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE FLIGHT WAS EN ROUTE FROM THE AIRPORT WHERE THE CHECKRIDE HAD TAKEN PLACE, AND THEY WERE HEADING BACK TO THE AIRPORT WHERE THE HELICOPTER WAS BASED.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RURAL AREA APPROXIMATELY 13 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND ALONG THE DIRECT ROUTE OF FLIGHT TO THE DESTINATION.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT A 'PRETTY LOW' ALTITUDE WITH THE TAIL SWINGING FROM SIDE TO SIDE.  THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER NEARED A 'BIG TREE' IN ITS FLIGHT PATH, THE HELICOPTER'S 'NOSE WENT UP A LITTLE, AND THE HELICOPTER ROSE UP OVER THE TREE.'  THE WITNESS LOOKED AWAY, HEARD THE NOISE OF THE HELICOPTER STOP, LOOKED BACK, AND 'SAW PIECES FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.'  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE HELI COPTER. (-23) AIRCRAFT IN CRUISE FLIGHT, MADE RAPID DESCENT ON COURSE, STRUCK TREES AND HOUSE. PARTIALLY CONSUMED IN POST CRASH FIRE.

## 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 FTW98FA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA306), Jul 10, 1998: Bell 47G (N12085), Jones, OK, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees during a low altitude flight/maneuver.

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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