# NTSB CHI83LA295: Bell 47G2, N5185B, Thomasville, IL, July 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1983, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, IL
- Coordinates: 39.499626, -89.759956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4996&lon=-89.7600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA295

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND DURING LANDING. THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION AND WAS RETURNING TO RELOAD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE TAIL ROTOR TO HIT THE GROUND. DECATUR WINDS WERE REPORTED AS FROM 190 DEGREES AT 12 KTS AT 0750 CDT. NO GUSTS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5185B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5185B-1989-06-16), registration cancelled 1989-06-16, S/N 1540 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1540
- Airframe hours: 7048
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Registered owner: Robert E. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1983, 116 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,715 total, 195 in this make and model, 3,519 as pilot in command, 258 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Observed at: DEC, 11 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 19830703070369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830703070369A), Jul 3, 1983: Bell 47G2, Thomasville, IL, Substantial damage. Tail struck the ground while flaring to land. Pilot blames a wind gust. No gusts reported at nearby flight service

## Other investigations on N5185B (3)

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 MIA80FKJ35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FKJ35), May 4, 1980: Bell 47G-2 (N5185B), Panama Cy Bch, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA71FLA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLA09), Aug 14, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N5185B), Panama City, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA69D0067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0067), Jun 29, 1968: Bell 47G-2 (N5185B), Panama City, FL, 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.

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