# Accident 20050915028029A: Bell 47G3B, Mason, TN, September 15, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 2005, 13:00 local time
- Place: Mason, TN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: KPEG
- Location: 35.3408° N, 89.6519° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3408&lon=-89.6519&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8483E, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8483E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-3B (registry code 1181026, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 11,350 total, 11,202 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL05CA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA161) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050915028029A

## Narrative

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

(-23) AIRCRAFT WAS INITIALLY RESTING ATOP OF TWO 3 FOOT BY 10 FOOT WOODEN PADS CONSTRUCTED FROM 5 EACH 2X8S. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FACING TOWARD THE WEST WITH A PARKED HORSE TRAILER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT, APPROX 40 FEET AWAY, AND A DENSE TREE LINE TO THE SOUTH 45 TO 50 FEET AWAY. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TAKE-OFF FROM THESE PADS ON A SLIGHT SLOOPE OF 3-6 INCHES, WITH THE LEFT SKID BEING HIGHER THAN THE RIGHT, THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT CYCLIC INPUT. AS THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT, AS THE PILOT DESCRIBED IT, "GOT LIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE." HE FURTHER STATED THAT THIS BEGAN AN OSCILLATION OF THE ROTOR HEAD. THE PILOT OVERCORRECTED TO THE RIGHT. BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY OF THE HORSE TRAILER, AND TO GAIN FORWARD AIRSPEED, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT TOWARD THE TREE LINE, ATTEMPTING TO TURN 180 DEGREES TO FACE EAST. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, FELL STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A SEMI-INVERTED ATTITUDE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE PILOT FREED HIMSELF FROM THE HARNESSES, AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT THRU THE LEFT SIDE DOOR OPENING. THE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND BACK CONSISTING OF BRUISES AND ABRASIONS.

## 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 ATL05CA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA161), Sep 15, 2005: Bell 47G-3B (N8483E), Summerville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and roll over.

## Other reports on N8483E (1)

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

- [Accident 19770122002839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770122002839A), Jan 22, 1977: Bell 47B3 (N8483E), Mccarty, NM, Substantial damage. Engine ran ok after accident. Air filter very dirty. Main rotor severed tail boom after touchdown.

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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