# NTSB CHI85LA338: Bell 47G-5, N1476W, Pickett, WI, August 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1985, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Pickett, WI
- Coordinates: 43.909584, -88.7304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9096&lon=-88.7304&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): 13184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA338
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA338

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, other person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLD WHERE THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED HAD BEEN SPRAYED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BY A FIXED-WING ACFT AT AN ALT OF 20 FT. NO WIRES WERE NOTED TO BE A HAZARD AT THAT TIME. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PLT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS TALKING TO A SPOTTER ON THE GROUND VIA RADIO. NEITHER PERSON NOTICED THE POWER LINES CROSSING ONE END OF A SMALL SECTION OF THE CORN FLD. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WIRES ON HIS FIRST PASS. THEY BECAME ENTANGLED IN HIS ROTOR CONTROL RODS AND THE MACHINE SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE REASON NEITHER HE NOR HIS SPOTTER SAW THE WIRES WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE STRUNG IN A NON-STANDARD MANNER IN THAT THE NON-SUPPORTED SPAN OF WIRE WAS EXCESSIVE. THE WIRES DROOPED TO 7 FT ABOVE THE CORN. ALSO THERE WERE NO GUY WIRES OR TRANSFORMERS ON THE POLES TO INDICATE A POWER LINE ARRAY. THIS PLT HAS OVER 5600 HOURS OF AERIAL APPLICATION FLYING TIME IN HIS LOGBOOK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1476W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1476W-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 7946, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7946
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Reabe Spraying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1985, 95 hours before
- Departed: RLA, RIPON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 210 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850807036959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850807036959A), Aug 7, 1985: Bell 47G5, Pickett, WI, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines which became entangled in rotor control rods. Aircraft settled to ground.

## Other investigations on N1476W (1)

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 MIA73DLD54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DLD54), Jan 27, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N1476W), Avon Park, FL, destroyed

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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