# NTSB DEN83LA006: Bell 47G3B1, N7928S, Malta, MT, October 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1982, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Malta, MT
- Coordinates: 48.160655, -107.870933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1607&lon=-107.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE "WAS SPRAYING THE ALFALFA FIELD WEST TO EAST" AND THAT "THERE WERE TALL COTTONWOOD TREES ON THREE SIDES. A VERY SUDDEN WIND "CAME UP" AND "PUSHED" HIM INTO A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7928S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7928S), registered now, S/N 6598, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6598
- Airframe hours: 326
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mendel Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Mendel Flying Service, Inc.
- Departed: C, FIELD, MT
- Destination: C, FIELD, MT
- Airport: MLK, Malta Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12,791 total, 290 in this make and model, 12,726 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N7928S (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 SEA74DTI29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DTI29), Jun 16, 1974: Bell 47G3B1 (N7928S), Lima, MT, 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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