# NTSB ATL94LA172: Bell 47D1 Wasp, N908B, Hazel Green, AL, September 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1994, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Hazel Green, AL - Coordinates: 34.700317, -86.739227 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7003&lon=-86.7392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3445/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA172 ## Probable cause UNDETERMINED. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - aircraft performance,climb capability - lack of - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - crop - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,skid assembly - overload - Roll over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT DURING DEPARTURE FROM THE AERIAL APPLICATION LOADING AREA, AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND MADE A SLIDE-ON LANDING TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND ADJACENT CROPS. DURING THE SLIDING STOP, THE SPRAY BOOM CAUGHT IN THE CROPS, THE RIGHT SKID COLLAPSED, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED WITH NO ANOMALIES FOUND. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2300 FEET. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1994, about 1750 central daylight time, a Bell 47D1 Wasp, N908B, failed to climb during departure at Hazel Green, Alabama, collided with crops, and rolled over. The helicopter was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial application flight. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator's report, during the attempted takeoff from the loading area, an unknown malfunction occurred. The pilot elected to execute a slide-on landing in the grassy area between the runway and a cotton field. As the helicopter was sliding to a stop, the spray boom caught in cotton stalks beside the takeoff area. The helicopter yawed, the right skid broke off, and the aircraft rolled over, severing the tail boom. According to the operator's report, the pilot had 3500 flight hours in the same make and model aircraft. An inspector from the Alabama Flight Standards District Office reported that cylinder number one would hold 95 pounds of pressure, using an automotive compression tester. Cylinders number three and five would hold 110 pounds, and cylinders number two, four, and six would hold 140 pounds. Magneto timing, spark plug condition, and carburetor heat operation were all reported as ok. The engine was cranked and oil pressure came up. The inspector believed that the engine would operate within specifications, if a rotor assembly were attached. Density altitude for the time of the accident was calculated to be 2300 feet, based upon an elevation of 814 feet and a temperature of 83 degrees, Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N908B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N908B), registered now, S/N 479, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47D1 WASP - 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: 479 - Airframe hours: 6206 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Valley Flying Service - Registered owner: Lanier, John L. Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1994, 84 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE, AL - Airport: NONE, Jones Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HSV, 15 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 19940913026889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940913026889A), Sep 13, 1994: Bell 47D1, Hazel Green, AL, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff for unknown condition. Tried slide landing in tall grass skid caught cotton. Broke. Rolled over. ## Other investigations on N908B (7) 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 ATL97LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA121), Aug 11, 1997: Bell 47-D1 (N908B), Holcomb, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to adequately see and avoid all obstructions while doing aerial application work. - [NTSB ATL89DLT03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DLT03), May 12, 1989: Bell 47 (N908B), Shelbyville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE IN THE ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO PERFORM AN AUTOROTATION. - [NTSB ATL87LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA204), Jul 8, 1987: Bell 47D1 (N908B), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA79FLA48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLA48), Sep 1, 1979: Bell 47D1 (N908B), Hahira, GA, destroyed - [NTSB MIA77DKG41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKG41), Jul 2, 1977: Bell 47-D1 (N908B), Berlin, GA, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC76DCQ57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCQ57), Jun 4, 1976: Bell 47D-1 (N908B), Sublette, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA72FLG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FLG08), Aug 14, 1971: Bell 47D-1 (N908B), Cheraw, SC, 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. --- 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.