# NTSB CEN14LA415: Bell 47G 2, N4690, Jeanerette, LA, August 10, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2014, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Jeanerette, LA
- Coordinates: 29.912221, -91.668891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9122&lon=-91.6689&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA415
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89834/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89834
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA415

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to operate an unairworthy helicopter, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot/owner was conducting an agricultural application flight in the helicopter. A witness reported observing the helicopter flying about 200 ft above ground level and then descending to just above the sugarcane tops. The helicopter then pitched down and impacted terrain, and it was destroyed. About 3 days before the accident, the helicopter received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ramp check, during which numerous discrepancies with the helicopter were found including, in part, a cracked tailboom tube structure, rusted bolts with improper grip lengths, a disabled transmission chip light, a worn transmission gear with a backed-off locknut, and a lack of proper lubrication. The FAA inspector noted that the helicopter was in a poor condition and considered to be unairworthy. The pilot/owner, who was also a licensed mechanic, performed his own maintenance. It is unlikely that the pilot corrected the maintenance issues in the intervening 3 days; therefore, the airplane was likely unairworthy at the time of the accident. The accident is consistent with the loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because the helicopter was destroyed at impact.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 2014, about 1015 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N4690, impacted terrain near Jeanerette, Louisiana. The commercial rated pilot, sole occupant, was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Penn-Tex Helicopter, Inc. of Jeanerette, Louisiana, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137, as an agricultural flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.A witness who was driving northbound, reported observing the helicopter flying west to east, about 200 ft, above ground level. The helicopter descended to just above the sugarcane tops, and then pitched down. He then observed smoke and assumed the helicopter had crashed. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site. The helicopter impacted a vacant area of a sugarcane field. The helicopter was destroyed during the impact and evidence of a small post-crash fire was present. A specific deficiency was not identified at the accident site; however, the helicopter was considered to be in an unairworthy condition. About three days prior to the accident, FAA inspectors were conducting ramp checks and inspected the accident helicopter. The inspectors found numerous discrepancies with the helicopter: the tailboom tube structure cracked through, rusted bolts and improper lengths, a disabled transmission chip light, transmission gear showed signs of wear and a locknut had backed off, and numerous areas that lacked proper lubrication were also observed. The inspectors noted that the helicopter was in poor condition, and considered the helicopter to be unairworthy. A postcrash review of the helicopter's maintenance records revealed they were in order with no discrepancies. The inspectors reported that they planned further action on the pilot, who was also a licensed mechanic and maintained the helicopter; however, the accident happened before further action could be taken.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4690](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4690-2018-03-05), registration cancelled 2018-03-05, S/N BB2383, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G 2
- 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: BB2383
- Year built: 1976
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Penn Tex Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Penn Tex Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Jeanerette, LA
- Destination: Jeanerette, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KARA

## 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 20140810014299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140810014299A), Aug 10, 2014: Bell 47G-2, Jeanerette, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter was observed to make a 180 degree turn from a northerly direction to the south. Upon turning around the helicopter was observed descending and then…

## Other investigations on N4690 (2)

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 MKC88LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA092), May 19, 1988: Bell 47G-2 (N4690), Mc Dougal, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC78DCA30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCA30), Jun 14, 1978: Bell 47G-2 (N4690), Naylor, MO, substantial damage

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89834. 2.0 MB in all.

- Witness (item 1, .PDF, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness-Master.PDF
- Memo for Record (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.