# NTSB CHI85LA204: Bell 47G-2A, N73219, Mantua, OH, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 20:00 local (May 22, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mantua, OH
- Coordinates: 41.279499, -81.21994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2795&lon=-81.2199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE PLT BANKED THE HELICOPER TO FLY AROUND A UTILITY POLE; HOWEVER, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE POLE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED, LANDED ON ITS SKIDS & SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73219](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73219-2000-05-01), registration cancelled 2000-05-01, S/N 2703 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2703
- Airframe hours: 3901
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Stanley Sayre
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1985, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 1,716 total, 1,614 in this make and model, 1,629 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850521022809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521022809A), May 21, 1985: Bell 47G2A, Mantua, OH, Destroyed. Spraying under powerlines when gust of wind blew helicopter to one side. Main rotor blades hit pole. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N73219 (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 NYC73FID05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FID05), Aug 5, 1972: Bell 47G-2A (N73219), Floyd, VA, destroyed, 2 fatal
- [NTSB FTW69F0331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0331), Jan 7, 1969: Bell 47G-2A (N73219), Shreveport, LA, destroyed
- [NTSB CHI67A0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67A0005), Jul 9, 1966: Bell 47G-2A (N73219), Slemp, KY, 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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