# NTSB ATL02LA102: Bell 47G, N72MU, Marion, AL, May 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2002, 13:36 local (18:36 UTC) - Place: Marion, AL - Coordinates: 34.119167, -87.985832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1192&lon=-87.9858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while conducting an aerial application maneuver. A factor was the transmission line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, while spraying the edge of a lake, he lost visual contact with the nearby power line, and was unable to reacquire visual contact. The helicopter struck the power line as the pilot maneuvered the helicopter for the spray operation. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2002, at 1336 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N72MU, registered to Aerial Application Technologies LLC, and operated by the commercial pilot, collided with a power line while conducting an aerial application flight near the edge of a lake in Marion, Alabama. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Marion, Alabama, at 1300, on May 21, 2002. According to the pilot, while spraying the edge of a lake, he lost visual contact with the nearby power line, and was unable to reacquire visual contact. The helicopter struck the power line as the pilot maneuvered the helicopter for the spray operation. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter during the flight maneuver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72MU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72MU-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 6867 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6867 - Airframe hours: 3350 - Engines: Allison T63A700 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Aerial Application Technologies LLC - Registered owner: Aerial Application Technologies, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2002, 109 hours before - Departed: Marion, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 2, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 29,200 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 28,875 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: BHM ## 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 20020521010459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020521010459A), May 21, 2002: Bell 47G3B2A, Marion, AL, No damage. (-23) On may 21, 2002, at 1036 CDT, a Bell 47G helicopter, N72MU, registered to aerial application technologies, LLC, operated by darrel j. ward, collided with… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54744. 318 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.