# Accident 20000901013999A: Bell 47G3B1, Canton, MS, September 1, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2000, 09:35 local time
- Place: Canton, MS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 32.6108° N, 90.0305° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6108&lon=-90.0305&mi=10
- Aircraft: N53SP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53SP-2001-08-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-3B-1 (registry code 1181028, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Reported engine: LYC VO435A1F
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,412 total, 1,210 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA00LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA257) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000901013999A

## Narrative

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

(-23) HELI CONTRACTED POWER WIRES DURING AERIAL APPLICATION AND CRASHED. (.4) ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2000, ABOUT 0935 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A BELL 47G-3B-1, N53SP, REGISTERED TO AN INDIVIDUAL, CRASHED WHILE ON A TITLE 14 CFR PART 137 AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE COMMERCIAL-RATED PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE LOCAL AREA ABOUT 0900. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD A WIRE STRIKE WHICH HE BELIEVES LED TO AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED STANDING UPRIGHT. BY THIS TIME THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE EXITED THE HELICOPTER AND WATCHED IT BURN.

## 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 MIA00LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA257), Sep 1, 2000: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N53SP), Canton, MS, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after landing.

## Other reports on N53SP (2)

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

- [Accident 19890530013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890530013449A), May 30, 1989: Bell 47G3B1 (N53SP), Keystone Height, FL, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor control on start of spray run. Autorotated safely. Tail rotor drive shaft became uncoupled.
- [Accident 19860620053139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860620053139A), Jun 20, 1986: Bell 47G3B1 (N53SP), Cleveland, MS, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after liftoff. Collided with the ground. Aircraft over gross weight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.