# NTSB ATL87DEI03: Bell 47G-2A, N818HJ, Monroeville, OH, May 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1987, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Monroeville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.239151, -82.700874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2392&lon=-82.7009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEI03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI03

## 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
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A NORMAL SPRAY RUN NEXT TO THE EDGE OF A FIELD WHEN HE MISJUDGED HIS CLEARANCE & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED A TREE. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN A WHEAT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N818HJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N818HJ-2000-12-14), registration cancelled 2000-12-14, S/N 2764 (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: 2764
- Airframe hours: 8632
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1E 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: P.A.H. Corp., doing business as Hick Flying Service Inc.
- Registered owner: P.A.H. Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: 8G1, WILLARD, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,226 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870520014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870520014879A), May 20, 1987: Bell 47G2A, Monroeville, OH, Substantial damage. The agricultural spray pilot misjudged distance and the helicopter rotors hit trees. Impacted in a wheat field.

## Other investigations on N818HJ (3)

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 MIA00LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA222), Jul 17, 2000: Bell 47G-2A (N818HJ), Covington, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot allowed the helicopter to get too low while hovering, which resulted in the tail rotor striking the ground, the separation of the blade, and subsequent force landing.
- [NTSB CHI76FEI43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEI43), Aug 17, 1976: EL Tomcat Mark V (N818HJ), Mantua, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC71FHM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHM09), Nov 14, 1970: Bell 47G-2A (N818HJ), Spring Valley, NY, destroyed

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.