- Date
- September 15, 2005, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place
- Summerville, TN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N8483EBell 47G-3B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 20, 2005
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Memphis FSDO
- FAA report
- 20050915028029A
- Case key
- 62596
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
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.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During takeoff, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck a tree 15 feet above the ground. The helicopter collided with the ground, rolled over and burst into flames. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.
Factual narrative
"This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8483E
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-3B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2650
- Airframe hours
- 3,015
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-435, 270 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Billy G Meeks, doing business as Meeks Flying Service
- Registered owner
- Billy G Meeks
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 1, 2005
- Departed
- Summerville, TN
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 61
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 1, 2005
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 11,350 total · 10,000 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- KNQA
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8483E · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.