# NTSB ATL90DKJ07: Bell-Continental Copters 47G, N7153, Clayhatchee, AL, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Clayhatchee, AL
- Coordinates: 31.299827, -85.709236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2998&lon=-85.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKJ07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKJ07

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE MAGNETO(S).  THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN (TREES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AS HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER (PULLED UP) OVER A TREE LINE.  AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE IN THE TREES.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT MAGNETO WOULD NOT FIRE; HOWEVER, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER ITS COIL WAS RELACED.   ENG RECORDS INDICATED THE MAGNETOS HAD BEEN OVERHAULED ON 1/14/80, APRX 96 FLT HRS BEFORE THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7153](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7153-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N CCI-69-1, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell-Continental Copters 47G
- Registry model: [Bell Continental Copters 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-continental-copters-47g) (registry code 1181061) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-69-1
- Airframe hours: 917
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bug Busters, Inc.
- Registered owner: L.L. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1990, 96 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N7153 (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 FTW70F0123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0123), Jul 2, 1969: Bell 47G (N7153), Pineland, TX, 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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