# NTSB ATL86LA138: Bell 47G-3B, N73269, Red Bay, AL, May 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Red Bay, AL
- Coordinates: 34.430057, -88.129318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4301&lon=-88.1293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - vehicle
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A DISPENSING OPERATION AND WAS RETURNING TO THE AG STAGING AREA TO REFUEL. AS THE HELICOPTER HOVERED TOWARDS THE PARKED REFUELING VEHICLE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK A METAL STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE REFUELING HOSE WAS ABOUT 30 FEET LONG AND WAS TOO SHORT FOR THIS OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73269](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73269), registered now, S/N 2784, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2784
- Airframe hours: 3981
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20-B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Chem-Air, Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1986, 43 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,560 total, 2,210 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19860519019129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860519019129A), May 19, 1986: Bell STC47, Red Bay, AL, Substantial damage. During hover to position for refueling, main rotor blades struck the metal structure atop the hopper truck.

## Other investigations on N73269 (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 SEA68A0050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0050), Jan 24, 1968: Bell 47G-3B (N73269), Superior, MT, substantial damage

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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