# NTSB ATL90DLQ01: Bell 47D1, N2134, Hickman, KY, April 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1990, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Hickman, KY
- Coordinates: 36.560916, -89.179977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5609&lon=-89.1800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DLQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DLQ01

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE RESULTANT TAILWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

AFTER APPLICATION OF CHEMICALS TO A WHEAT FIELD, THE PILOT COMPLETED A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER IN A DOWNWIND DIRECTION & BEGAN ANOTHER SWATH RUN. HE SAID HE ENTERED A SETTLING-WITH-POWER CONDITION, WHICH CONTINUED TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE TALL WHEAT WRAPPED AROUND THE BOOMS CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROLL OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2134](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2134-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 208, built 1950 (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: 208
- Airframe hours: 3529
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335-5D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dennis M. Hoppe, doing business as Crop Air
- Registered owner: Paul D. Propst
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1990, 57 hours before
- Departed: HICKMAN, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,266 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 9,027 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900424011699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900424011699A), Apr 24, 1990: Bell 47D1, Hickman, KY, Substantial damage. After procedure turn around to start another swath run,entered settling with power condition impacted rolled over.

## Other investigations on N2134 (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 OAK76FVG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76FVG43), Jan 13, 1976: Bell 47D-1 (N2134), Sacramento, CA, 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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