# NTSB ATL84LA295: Bell 47G-5, N1398X, Bluefield, WV, September 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1984, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Bluefield, WV
- Coordinates: 37.260738, -81.20932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2607&lon=-81.2093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA295

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HOVERED THE HELICOPTER, MADE A RIGHT PEDAL TURN AND INITIATED A HOVER TAXI ACROSS A ROCKY RAVINE ADJACENT TO THE PAD. WHEN OVER THE RAVINE THE HELICOPTER SETTLED ONTO TO BOULDERS BENEATH IT. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE LOST GROUND EFFECT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1398X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1398X-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 7844, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7844
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 137
- Registered owner: Cincinnati Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Airport: BLF, Mercer County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,897 total, 1,742 in this make and model, 5,657 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF

## 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 19840924050649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840924050649A), Sep 24, 1984: Bell 47G5, Bluefield, WV, Substantial damage. Ran out of ground effect while hover taxiing over a ravine. Helicopter settled into rocks and rolled over.

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.

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