# NTSB ATL94LA019: Bell-Carson 47G-SUPER C-4, N614X, Eufaula, AL, November 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1993, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Eufaula, AL
- Coordinates: 31.900737, -85.149597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9007&lon=-85.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA019

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED HELICOPTER FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSFER THE HELICOPTER FROM A TRAILER TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, STRUCK THE TRAILER, AND CRASHED. THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A HELICOPTER RATING.

## Factual narrative

On November 16, 1993, at 1715 central standard time, a Bell-Carson 47G-Super C-4, N614X, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Eufaula, Alabama. The commercial pilot was seriously injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Williams Flying Service of Eufaula, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local positioning flight.

Witnesses stated that the helicopter was attempting to reposition from a platform, located on an agricultural chemical loading truck, to a ground landing pad when the accident occurred. The aircraft caught fire and burned following the collision with the terrain. The pilot did not hold a helicopter rating nor did he posess the qualifications needed for the operation of helicopters.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N614X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N614X-1994-05-06), registration cancelled 1994-05-06, S/N C5012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL-CARSON 47G-SUPER C-4 (47G-SUPER)
- Registry model: [Bell-Carson 47G-SUPER C-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-carson-47g-super-c-4) (registry code 1181060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: C-5012
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: FRANKLIN GV335-5D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Williams, Freddy L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1993, 94 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 17 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 35 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 19931116042899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931116042899A), Nov 16, 1993: Bell 47G4, Eufaula, AL, Substantial damage. Collided with ground trying to position copter from chemical truck to ground helo pad. Not rated in helicopters.

## Other investigations on N614X (2)

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 FTW68F0609](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0609), May 5, 1968: Bell-Carson 47G (N614X), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW68F0493](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0493), Feb 25, 1968: Bell-Carson C-4 (N614X), San Antonio, 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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