# NTSB ATL95LA145: Bell 47G2, N6145C, Montrose, GA, July 31, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1995, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, GA
- Coordinates: 32.559333, -83.14923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5593&lon=-83.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA145

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and visual lookout.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING A LOW LEVEL OBSERVATION OF THE FIELD PRIOR TO BEGINNING SPRAY OPERATIONS. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE POWER LINES IN THE FIELD, UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID HITTING THEM. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE POWER LINES AND CRASHED INTO THE FIELD.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 1995, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G2, N6145C was substantially damaged following a collision with electrical lines and the terrain during agricultural operations near Montrose, Georgia. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 by Heli-Copter, Incorporated of Rentz, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight departed a field near Montrose, Georgia at about 1245.

The pilot stated that he was performing a low level surveillance of the field prior to commencing spray operations. He stated that he did not see the electrical wires at the end of the field until it was too late to avoid them. The helicopter skids and spray boom contacted the wires, and the aircraft impacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6145C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6145C-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 2182, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2182
- Airframe hours: 10128
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AFI 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Heli-Cropter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1995, 40 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,600 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 40 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 19950731020919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950731020919A), Jul 31, 1995: Bell 47G2, Montrose, GA, Substantial damage. During low level pass over spray field struck unseen wires. Wires caught on skids and spray boom.

## Other investigations on N6145C (3)

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 SEA82DA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA112), Jul 15, 1982: Bell 47G-2 (N6145C), Harrah, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67A0071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0071), Jun 1, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N6145C), Kennewick, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA66A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66A0032), Nov 23, 1965: Bell 47G-2 (N6145C), 38mi E.Kelso, WA, 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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