# NTSB CHI92LA249: Bell 47G-3B-1, N203SD, Marshall, IN, August 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1992, 17:31 local (22:31 UTC)
- Place: Marshall, IN
- Coordinates: 39.839782, -87.180297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8398&lon=-87.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA249

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING HOW HE USED THE HELICOPTER TO POLLINATE CORN; THE DEMONSTRATION WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT 25 FT AGL OVER A CROP FIELD. AT THE END OF THE FIELD THE PILOT PULLED THE HELICOPTER UP SHARPLY AT A STEEP ANGLE AND TURNED LEFT. THE HELICOPTER INSTANTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S EMERGENCY TOXICOLOGY SCREEN SHOWED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 215 MG/DL, AND A POSITIVE DETECTION OF CANNABINOID IN HIS URINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N203SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203SD-1993-03-25), registration cancelled 1993-03-25, S/N 3513 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3513
- Airframe hours: 5650
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-D1 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Plastics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1992, 10 hours before
- Destination: NONE

## 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: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 483 total, 320 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 27 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 19920821032679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920821032679A), Aug 21, 1992: Bell 47G3B1, Marshall, IN, Destroyed. Pilot demonstrated corn pollination procedure to passenger. Pulled up sharp end of field,stalled and crashed.

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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