# NTSB ATL87LA229: Bell 47G (TOM CAT), N10175, Dothan, AL, August 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1987, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Dothan, AL
- Coordinates: 31.230173, -85.400405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2302&lon=-85.4004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering - aerial application
  - descent
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE HE WAS MAKING A TURN-AROUND OVER TREES AFTER THE 1ST SWATH RUN, THE HELICOPTER ENCTRD A SUDDEN WIND CHANGE. HE STATED THAT THE WIND COND WAS FROM A CUMULUS BUILDUP WHICH PUT HIM IN A TAILWIND SITUATION. AS HE COMPLETED HIS TURN WITH NEAR ZERO AIRSPEED, THE HELICOPTER BGN TO SETTLE WITH POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO FLY OUT OF THE SITUATION, BUT THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A TREE LIMB & SEPARATED, CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO SPIN. THE PLT ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE IN AN ATMT TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10175](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10175), registered now, S/N 1272, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G (TOM CAT) (47G (TOM C)
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1272
- Airframe hours: 7996
- Engines: FRANKLIN 210 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Allison, Rodney V., doing business as Allison Aviation
- Registered owner: Allison, Rodney V
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1987, 250 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 20,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 5 nm away

## 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 19870810043879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870810043879A), Aug 10, 1987: Bell 47G, Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Wind shift put helicopter in a downwind and zero speed caused settling with power. Tail rotor hit a tree.

## Other investigations on N10175 (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 MIA71FKT46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKT46), Mar 16, 1971: Bell 47G (N10175), Loxahatchee, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA70D0009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0009), May 4, 1969: Bell 47G (N10175), Groveland, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA69F0149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0149), Sep 2, 1968: Bell 47G (N10175), Merigold, MS, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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