# NTSB CHI78DET31: Bell 47G2, N1273, Petroleum, IN, August 3, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 3, 1978
- Place: Petroleum, IN · PETROLEUM, IN
- Location: 40.6126° N, 85.1527° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Petroleum, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6126&lon=-85.1527&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78DET31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DET31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3875   78/8/3    PETROLEUM,IN        BELL 47G2           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1000                    N1273               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        35, 2925 TOTAL HOURS, 525
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PETROLEUM,IN                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED SPEED AND ALTITUDE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  840
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1273](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1273-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N GF-11, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell-Faulkenberry 47-G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-faulkenberry-47-g) (registry code 1181067) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780803028529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780803028529A), Aug 3, 1978: Bell 47G3B1, Petroleum, IN, Substantial damage. No remarks

## Other investigations on N1273 (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 MIA76FLG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG51), Sep 8, 1976: Bell 47G (N1273), Ridge Spring, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC69F0450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69F0450), May 5, 1969: Bell 47G (N1273), Geneseo, NY, destroyed, 1 fatal

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.

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