# NTSB CHI08CA192: Bell 47G-3B, N73995, Port Edwards, WI, July 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2008, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Port Edwards, WI - Coordinates: 44.348331, -89.990837 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3483&lon=-89.9908&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA192 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter when he inadvertently flared the helicopter and the rotor rpm decayed as a result of sustaining bee stings during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accidnet included the bees and the low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was spraying a cranberry field. During a swath run, numerous bees entered the cockpit via the vent window. He was stung in the left arm twice, and as he tried to remove the bees, he inadvertently pitched the helicopter up. The helicopter climbed to about 35 feet above ground level and the rotor RPM decayed, and the airspeed went to about 30 MPH. The pilot attempted to return to level flight and added power, but he realized that the rotor RPM had decayed too much for a normal recovery. He reported that he "aggressively flared in an effort to reduce my groundspeed." During the flare, the tail boom struck the ground and then the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter yawed right and impacted the terrain. ## Factual narrative The commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was spraying a cranberry field. During a swath run, numerous bees entered the cockpit via the vent window. He was stung in the left arm twice, and as he tried to remove the bees, he inadvertently pitched the helicopter up. The helicopter climbed to about 35 feet above ground level and the rotor RPM decayed, and the airspeed went to about 30 MPH. The pilot attempted to return to level flight and added power, but he realized that the rotor RPM had decayed too much for a normal recovery. He reported that he "aggressively flared in an effort to reduce my groundspeed." During the flare, the tail boom struck the ground and then the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter yawed right and impacted the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73995](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73995-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 2786, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2786 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-AIF reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Reabe Spraying Service - Registered owner: 995 Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Port Edwards, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 12,038 total, 7,345 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080711841829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080711841829A), Jul 11, 2008: Bell 47G3B, Wisconsin Rapi, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) While performing aerial application of a cranberry bog, bee's entered the cockpit stinging pilot numerous times. This caused the pilot to loose control… ## Other investigations on N73995 (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 CHI80DEP36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP36), Jun 11, 1980: Bell 47G-3B (N73995), Plainfield, WI, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN70D0132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70D0132), Nov 20, 1969: Bell 47G-3B (N73995), Alamogordo, NM, 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.