# NTSB ATL92LA131: Bell 47D1, N68632, Centre, AL, June 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Centre, AL
- Coordinates: 34.149349, -85.669281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1493&lon=-85.6693&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 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A WIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS SPRAYING COTTON FOR BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION. HE SURVEYED THE FIELD AND SET UP FOR HIS FIRST PASS. WHILE ON THE PASS, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A SINGLE WIRE STRUNG NEAR THE CORNER OF THE FIELD. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, AND IT CRASHED ON THE COTTON FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRE DURING HIS INITIAL SURVEY OF THE FIELD. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68632-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N WH5003, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: WH5003
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hoppe, Dennis
- Registered owner: Avico, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 78 hours before
- Departed: A04, CENTRE, AL
- Destination: A04, CENTRE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,881 total, 350 in this make and model, 9,643 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKL, 90 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 19920625025579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920625025579A), Jun 25, 1992: Bell 47D1, Centre, AL, Substantial damage. Struck powerline during a spray run. Pilot failed to note powerline on pre-inspection.

## Other investigations on N68632 (4)

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 ATL83LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA315), Aug 6, 1983: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Moultrie, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA79FLD57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLD57), Apr 13, 1979: Bell 47-D1 (N68632), Clearwater, FL, destroyed
- [NTSB CHI71DEI52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DEI52), May 27, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Bloomdale, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66A0022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66A0022), Nov 10, 1965: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Bells Station, 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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