# NTSB ATL87LA204: Bell 47D1, N908B, Huntsville, AL, July 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1987, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.700267, -86.739257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7003&lon=-86.7393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT WAS DISPENSING INSECTICIDES ON A COTTON FIELD. WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID POWERLINES DURING THE PROCEDURE TURNAROUND FOLLOWING AN UPWIND SWATH RUN, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL POWER IN TIME TO PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM SETTLING INTO THE TERRAIN WHERE IT NOSED OVER WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N908B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N908B), registered now, S/N 479, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 479
- Airframe hours: 5419
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John L. Lanier, doing business as Valley Flying Service
- Registered owner: John L. Lanier, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 6, 1987, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,550 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 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 19870708034359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870708034359A), Jul 8, 1987: Bell 47D1, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. The agricultural spray helicopter settled into crops during a downwind turn. Pilot failed to maintain rotor speed.

## Other investigations on N908B (7)

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 ATL97LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA121), Aug 11, 1997: Bell 47-D1 (N908B), Holcomb, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to adequately see and avoid all obstructions while doing aerial application work.
- [NTSB ATL94LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA172), Sep 13, 1994: Bell 47D1 Wasp (N908B), Hazel Green, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: UNDETERMINED.
- [NTSB ATL89DLT03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DLT03), May 12, 1989: Bell 47 (N908B), Shelbyville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE IN THE ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO PERFORM AN AUTOROTATION.
- [NTSB MIA79FLA48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLA48), Sep 1, 1979: Bell 47D1 (N908B), Hahira, GA, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA77DKG41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKG41), Jul 2, 1977: Bell 47-D1 (N908B), Berlin, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC76DCQ57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCQ57), Jun 4, 1976: Bell 47D-1 (N908B), Sublette, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA72FLG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FLG08), Aug 14, 1971: Bell 47D-1 (N908B), Cheraw, SC, 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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