# NTSB ATL00LA086: Bell 47G-3B-2, N2243W, Pine Hill, AL, September 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2000, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Pine Hill, AL - Coordinates: 31.980409, -87.580543 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9804&lon=-87.5805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50278/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to remove the tie down. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - tie down - not removed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, while attempting to conduct timber spraying, he neglected to untie one of the skid tie downs prior to liftoff from the trailer on which the helicopter was positioned. During the attempted takeoff, the helicopter rolled over to the right and subsequently collided with the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2000, at 1415 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-2, N2243W, registered to and operated by Aerial Application Technologies, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from a trailer 20 miles north of Pine Hill, Alabama. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight was originating from Pine Hill, Alabama, at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, while attempting to conduct timber spraying, he neglected to untie one of the skid tie downs prior to liftoff from the trailer on which the helicopter was positioned. The pilot stated that he diverted his attention away from his preflight actions to speak with the customer about the block area of timber he was to spray. When the briefing was over, he got in the helicopter, started the engine, and attempted to liftoff. The helicopter rolled over to the right and subsequently collided with the ground, substantially damaging the helicopter. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found during the postaccident examination of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2243W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2243W-2003-11-13), registration cancelled 2003-11-13, S/N 6755, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6755 - Airframe hours: 8373 - Engines: Allison 250-C10D 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Aerial Application Tech. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 17, 2000, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 28,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GZH, 60 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000909005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000909005949A), Sep 9, 2000: Bell 47G3B2, Pinehill, AL, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was interrupted by customer while untying straps securing helicopter to transport trailer during relocation. He had untied three of four straps and… ## Other investigations on N2243W (4) 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 FTW97LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA319), Aug 19, 1997: Bell 47G-3B-2 (N2243W), Montrose, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to properly supervise the flight and ensure that adequate rotor rpm was maintainted during the autorotation/landing. The high density altitude was a related… - [NTSB DEN88LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA135), Jun 25, 1988: Bell 47G (N2243W), Terry, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA81DYM48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYM48), Sep 30, 1981: Bell 47G3B1 (N2243W), Albany, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA80DYM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYM29), Mar 28, 1980: Bell 47G-3B (N2243W), Albany, OR, substantial damage 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. --- 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.