# NTSB ATL87LA252: Bell 47G-2A, N1200W, Mc Intosh, AL, September 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1987, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Mc Intosh, AL
- Coordinates: 31.259819, -88.019538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2598&lon=-88.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA252

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose down, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, standing - engine(s) not operating

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO SET FIRES TO BURN OFF UNDERBRUSH IN A COMMERCIAL FOREST PRIOR TO CUTTING OF TREES. THE PLT LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON A MOBILE TRANSPORT TRAILER AT THE COMPLETION OF THE DAY'S WORK. THE HELICOPTER ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUT OFF AND THE ROTOR BLADES WERE COASTING TO A STOP. PREVIOUSLY SET FIRE GENERATED WIND WHICH LIFTED THE TAIL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER FUEL TANK, SPILLING FUEL WHICH IGNITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1200W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1200W-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 2669 (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: 2669
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Custom Air Brewton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,444 total, 505 in this make and model, 2,248 as pilot in command, 440 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19870908050459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870908050459A), Sep 8, 1987: Bell 47G2A, Mcintosh, AL, Destroyed. Wind from nearby fire blew helicopter off trailer after landing. Coasting rotors ruptured fuel tank. Fire ensued.

## Other investigations on N1200W (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 DIA69F0185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0185), Apr 26, 1969: Bell 47G-2A (N1200W), Mt Savage, MD, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA69D0307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0307), Nov 27, 1968: Bell 47G-2 (N1200W), Crossville, TN, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC67A0014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0014), Jul 16, 1966: Bell 47G-2A (N1200W), Kimballton, VA, 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.