# NTSB CHI08CA019: Bell 47G-2A, N73223, Wautoma, WI, October 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 17, 2007, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Wautoma, WI - Coordinates: 44.2247222222222, -89.5308333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2247&lon=-89.5308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66952/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter resulting from a distraction in the cockpit. A contributing factor was the distraction due to the dog in the cockpit. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter impacted terrain during cruise flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter was established in cruise flight about 500 feet above ground level (agl). He was accompanied by a dog, which was restrained by a harness in the right seat. The pilot stated that a farmer waved as he flew by, and he banked the helicopter 30-degrees to the left and the right in response. He noted that this maneuver upset the dog. He subsequently transferred the cyclic from his right hand to his left hand, and restrained the collective by using the side of this leg, in order to free his right hand to reassure the dog. The pilot reported that during this time the helicopter entered a 135-degree right bank, and he seemed to become "weightless." He increased collective to load the main rotor and rolled left, recovering about 250 feet agl. He noted that the main rotor speed was "very low" and the helicopter was descending rapidly. About 50 feet agl he attempted to pitch up, but the aircraft did not respond. He "pulled all energy out of the rotor" and the helicopter impacted in a slight nose down attitude. The skids collapsed, the lower portion of the fuselage was damaged, and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom during the accident. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. He noted that the distraction of having a dog in the helicopter and his transferring cyclic control to his left hand were contributing factors to the accident. ## Factual narrative The helicopter impacted terrain during cruise flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter was established in cruise flight about 500 feet above ground level (agl). He was accompanied by a dog, which was restrained by a harness in the right seat. The pilot stated that a farmer waved as he flew by, and he banked the helicopter 30-degrees to the left and the right in response. He noted that this maneuver upset the dog. He subsequently transferred the cyclic from his right hand to his left hand, and restrained the collective by using the side of this leg, in order to free his right hand to reassure the dog. The pilot reported that during this time the helicopter entered a 135-degree right bank, and he seemed to become "weightless." He increased collective to load the main rotor and rolled left, recovering about 250 feet agl. He noted that the main rotor speed was "very low" and the helicopter was descending rapidly. About 50 feet agl he attempted to pitch up, but the aircraft did not respond. He "pulled all energy out of the rotor" and the helicopter impacted in a slight nose down attitude. The skids collapsed, the lower portion of the fuselage was damaged, and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom during the accident. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. He noted that the distraction of having a dog in the helicopter and his transferring cyclic control to his left hand were contributing factors to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73223](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73223), registered now, S/N 2722, built 1962 (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: 2722 - Airframe hours: 13425 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-AF 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Reabe Spraying Service - Registered owner: 223 Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006, 330 hours before - Departed: 8WI2, Plainfield, WI - Destination: PCZ, Waupaca, WI - Airport: PCZ, Waupaca Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 5,934 total, 391 in this make and model, 5,637 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PCZ, 10 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 20071017832189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071017832189A), Oct 17, 2007: Bell 47G2A, Wautoma, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) During a repositioning flight, after a flight maneuver, an animal (pet dog) in aircraft became frightened distracting the pilot. While attending to dog… 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.