# Accident 20040623012469A: Bell 47G3B1, Medford, OR, June 23, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 23, 2004, 10:00 local time
- Place: Medford, OR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: NKPG
- Location: 42.2247° N, 122.9667° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2247&lon=-122.9667&mi=10
- Aircraft: N73909, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73909) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-3B-1 (registry code 1181028, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TVO-435-GIA (registry code 41526, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 9,434 total, 4,700 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA04LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA114) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040623012469A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT STATED HE WAS MAKING HIS LAST SPRAY RUN WHEN HE THOUGHT HIS ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A DEAD TREE. HELICOPTER STARTED VIBRATING. PILOT SAID HE THEN DUMPED THE COLLECTIVE TO MAKE A LANDING IN A CLEARING. HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND HARD, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## 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 SEA04LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA114), Jun 23, 2004: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73909), Medford, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering. Trees were a factor.

## Other reports on N73909 (2)

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

- [Accident 19940224002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940224002919A), Feb 24, 1994: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Gold Hill, OR, Destroyed. Lost power on a spray run. Tried for a road. Lost rotor RPM fell 75 feet to ground. Fuel line separated.
- [Accident 19731002030999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731002030999A), Oct 2, 1973: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), New Meadows, ID, Destroyed. Towing cable w ext hook. Pilot in command - allowed cable to strike t/r

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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