# NTSB CEN12CA484: Bell 47G-2A, N652HA, Austin, IN, July 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2012, 07:35 local (11:35 UTC) - Place: Austin, IN - Coordinates: 38.736389, -85.639999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7364&lon=-85.6400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA484 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84471/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84471 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA484 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain during a low-level aerial application flight and lost control of the helicopter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on his third aerial application pass when he momentarily glanced over at his global positioning system and the left spray boom struck the ground. The pilot said the spray boom wiggled back and forth before it folded back into the tailboom. The helicopter then began to spin to the right, and the pilot initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard but remained upright. Examination of the helicopter revealed the spray boom, tail rotor, and tail rotor gear box had completely separated from the airframe. The fuselage and main rotor blades were also damaged. The operator reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was on his third aerial application pass when he momentarily glanced over at his global positioning system (GPS) and the left spray boom struck the ground. The pilot said the spray boom wiggled back and forth before it folded back into the tail boom. The helicopter then began to spin to the right and he initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard but remained upright. Examination of the helicopter revealed the spray boom, tail rotor and tail rotor gear box had completely separated from the airframe. The fuselage and main rotor blades were also damaged. The operator reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N652HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N652HA-2015-06-03), registration cancelled 2015-06-03, S/N 52, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 52 - Airframe hours: 20296 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250 C20B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Helicopter Applicators Inc - Registered owner: Helicopter Applicators Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2012 - Departed: Austin, IN - Destination: Austin, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,590 total, 55 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: JVY, 16 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 20120727017429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120727017429A), Jul 27, 2012: Bell 47G-2A, Austin, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was on its third low level pass at 2-3 ft altitude at approximately 60 KTS over a soybean field doing aerial application operations. The pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84471. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Written Statement - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation w/FAA - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20w%2FFAA%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation w/FAA - Witness (item 4, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20w%2FFAA%20-%20Witness-Master.PDF 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.