# NTSB ATL97LA121: Bell 47-D1, N908B, Holcomb, MS, August 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 1997, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Holcomb, MS - Coordinates: 33.749439, -89.959968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7494&lon=-89.9600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA121 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to adequately see and avoid all obstructions while doing aerial application work. ## 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 (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated the cotton field he was going to spray with insecticide was lined with utility lines. He circled the field '2 or 3 times to locate obstructions', and began spraying. After finishing about half the field, he struck a utility line that was 'hidden by the surrounding trees'. The nose pitched up, and the utility line wrapped around the helicopter's mast. The helicopter then rotated 150 to 160 degrees to the left, and it settled to the ground in a 'hard landing'. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 1997, at 1405 central daylight time, a Bell 47-D1, N908B, collided with utility lines while applying insecticide to a field in Holcomb, Mississippi. The helicopter was operated by Lanier Flying Service under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter incurred substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The aerial application flight originated from a field near Grenada, Mississippi at 1400. The pilot of the helicopter stated the cotton field he was spraying was lined with a number of utility lines. He circled the field "2 or 3 times to locate obstructions" and believed he had determined where all the utility lines were located. He then began to spray the field with insecticide. When he had completed spraying about half of the field, the helicopter struck a utility line that was "hidden by the surrounding trees". According to the pilot, "the poles were hidden by the tree line, and the black lines blended with their surroundings". The pilot stated he "did not see the lines until just before impact". The nose of the helicopter then pitched up and allowed the utility line to wrap around the mast of the helicopter. The pilot stated the helicopter then rotated 150 to 160 degrees to the left, and it settled to the ground in a "hard landing". No mechanical difficulties with the helicopter were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N908B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N908B), registered now, S/N 479, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47-D1 - 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: 6214 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lanier Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1997 - Departed: NONE, TAYLOR, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 180 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 19970811021649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970811021649A), Aug 11, 1997: Bell 47D1, Holcomb, MS, Substantial damage. Helicopter was involved in aerial application, hit a telephone line and landed in a field.(.4) the pilot stated the cotton field he was going to spray with… ## 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 ATL94LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA172), Sep 13, 1994: Bell 47D1 Wasp (N908B), Hazel Green, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: UNDETERMINED. - [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.