# NTSB DEN05CA078: Bell 47G-5A, N59403, Brush, CO, May 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2005, 19:30 local (May 19, 2005, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Brush, CO - Coordinates: 40.263889, -103.649444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2639&lon=-103.6494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61514/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA078 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the truck trailer during takeoff. A factor contributing to this accident was the truck trailer. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff, the right rear skid of the helicopter caught on a nearby truck trailer fender. The helicopter nosed over, bounced hard, then spun around colliding with the truck trailer and the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the helicopter's main rotor was bent, the tail boom was bent downward, the short shaft was broken, the main frame was bent, and the Plexiglas canopy was broken. The pilot stated that it was a "nice day," the winds were "dead calm," and that there was "nothing wrong with the machine." An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2005, approximately 1930 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-5A helicopter, N59403, was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck trailer and terrain during takeoff from a farm 5 -1/2 miles south of Brush, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local, personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of CFR 14 Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot, the sole person on board, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that during takeoff, the right rear skid caught on a nearby truck trailer fender. The helicopter nosed over, bounced hard, then spun around colliding with the truck trailer and the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the helicopter's main rotor was bent, the tail boom was bent downward, the short shaft was broken, the main frame was bent, and the Plexiglas canopy was broken. The pilot stated that it was a "nice day," the winds were "dead calm," and that there was "nothing wrong with the machine." An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59403](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59403), registered now, S/N 25140, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25140 - Airframe hours: 3642.4 - Engines: Lycoming VO-768-BIA reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joel Marwitz, doing business as Marwitz Helicopter, LLC - Registered owner: Phillip R. Edgington - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 0.3 hours before - Departed: Brush, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; medical: class 2; flight hours: 208 total, 63 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Temperature: 70 °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 20050519009619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519009619A), May 19, 2005: Bell 47G5A, Brush, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter was resting on trailer, attached to chevy suburban. The pilot/new owner decided to remove helo from trailer. After starting helo pilot was… ## Other investigations on N59403 (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 LAX91LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA128), Mar 10, 1991: Bell 47G-5A (N59403), Farmington, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE INDUCTION AIR FILTER. SOFT TERRAIN DURING THE TOUCHDOWN WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.