# NTSB ATL02LA128: Bell 47G-2A, N8486E, La Belle, FL, June 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2002, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: La Belle, FL - Coordinates: 26.744167, -81.433052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7442&lon=-81.4331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Ft. Lauderdale FSDO - 17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55033 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55033/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55033 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and uncontrolled descent into terrain. ## 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 - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was executing swath runs to apply herbicide solutions to weed plants. While finishing with the second load of spray, the pilot maneuvered to turn the helicopter around and struck unmarked power lines approximately 75 to 100 feet above the ground. The pilot then lost control of the helicopter, and it came down on its side and impacted trees. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction. Examination of the wreckage revealed the main rotor system was damaged, the tail boom was separated, the canopy was shattered, and one skid was separated. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2002, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A helicopter, N8486E, registered to and operated by Airwork Enterprises of Florida, Inc., collided with power lines while maneuvering in a grove in La Belle, Florida. The aerial application flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in the grove in La Belle, Florida, about 0800. The pilot was executing swath runs to apply herbicide solutions to weed plants. While finishing with the second load of spray, the pilot maneuvered to turn the helicopter around and struck unmarked power lines approximately 75 to 100 feet above the ground. The pilot stated he was not aware the wires were there. The pilot then lost control of the helicopter, and it came down on its side and impacted trees. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter. Examination of the wreckage revealed the main rotor system was damaged, the tail boom was separated, the canopy was shattered, and one skid was separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8486E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8486E), registered now, S/N 2679 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2679 - Airframe hours: 7341 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Airwork Enterprises of Florida, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: La Belle, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 3,540 total, 350 in this make and model, 45 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: RSW, 21 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 20020624013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020624013229A), Jun 24, 2002: Bell 47G2A, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 24, 2002, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A helicopter, N8486E, registered to and operated by airwork enterprises of Florida, inc.,… ## Other investigations on N8486E (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 NYC73DIJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DIJ02), Aug 19, 1972: Bell 47G-2A (N8486E), Richlands, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55033. 339 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - FAA Inspector Rich Kraemer (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Rich%20Kraemer-Master.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.