- Date
- April 27, 1982, 06:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place
- Magee, MS
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8469EBell/Soloy 47G-3B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 27, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19820427012379A
- Case key
- 71542
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
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
The bell 47G-3B with a soloy conversion was being used to demonstrate an aerial application spraying technique for use along powerline right-of-ways. For about 15 to 20 minutes after takeoff, routine spray runs were made over several different powerlines while using water as a spray. Just prior to the accident, a spray run was made from west to east with a pull-up and turn-around over powerlines along the east side of the area. The pilot stated that following the turn-around, both the cyclic and collective failed to respond and the helicopter began to vibrate. He stated the engine was performing satisfactorily and the rotor RPM was normal. Witnesses stated the helicopter remained in a nose down attitude until impact. After the occupants were removed, the helicopter began burning. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction or failure. Due to the extent of the fire damage, no useful information was found regarding the flight control, hydraulic, or other systems in the body frame area.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8469E
- Reported as
- Bell/Soloy 47G-3B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2644
- Airframe hours
- 6,534
- Engine
- Allison 20B, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 137
- Operator
- Chemaire Of Mississippi, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Chemaire Of Mississippi, Inc.
- Departed
- Magee, MS
- Destination
- Magee, MS
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
- 40
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 6,000 total · 800 in this make and model · 5,760 as pilot in command · 45 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Temperature
- 154 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.