# NTSB ATL96LA106: Bell 47G, N6356, Bartow, FL, July 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1996, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Bartow, FL
- Coordinates: 27.890712, -81.839622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8907&lon=-81.8396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA106

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain ground clearance, while maneuvering to avoid a collision with a utility line.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was to survey alligator nests along a canal. According to the pilot, they had been flying low (50 to 100 feet), at approximately 35 miles per hour, along the canal when the passenger warned him of utility lines crossing their intended route of flight. As the pilot executed a quick stop maneuver to avoid a collision with the utility lines, the tail rotor assembly collided with the ground. No mechanical problems were reported. The pilot also stated that a better scanning technique, and a slightly higher altitude may have prevented this accident.

## Factual narrative

On July 9, 1996, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N6356, collided with the ground during a quick stop maneuver near Bartow, Florida. The aerial observation flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was destroyed; the commercial pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Bartow, Florida, at 0845.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to survey alligator nests along the canal. According to the pilot, they had been flying low (50 to 100 feet), at approximately 35 miles per hour, along a canal when the passenger warned him of utility lines crossing their intended route of flight. As the pilot executed a quick stop maneuver to avoid a collision with the utility lines, the tail rotor assembly collided with the ground. No mechanical problems were reported. The pilot also stated that a better scanning technique, and a slightly higher altitude may have prevented this accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6356](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6356), registered now, S/N 1671, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1671
- Airframe hours: 18000
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1F 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maverick Helicopter Inter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1996, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 25 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 19960709016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960709016219A), Jul 9, 1996: Bell 47G, Bartow, FL, Destroyed. Aerial observation flight tailrotor hit ground during quick stop manuever avoiding powerline.

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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