# NTSB DFW05CA235: Bell 47G, N862Z, Swifton, AR, September 10, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 10, 2005, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Swifton, AR
- Coordinates: 35.820346, -91.120666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8203&lon=-91.1207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Little Rock, Arkansas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62441/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62441
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA235

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to  maintain clearance with the power lines.  A contributing factor was sun glare.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The 160-hour student pilot struck 4 electrical transmission lines while flying west bound at a low altitude.  He stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he was headed west into the afternoon sun and did not see the power lines located along a gravel road with a tree line running north and south.    The helicopter impacted the ground approximately 140 feet after contacting the wires, rolled and came to rest approximately 300 feet from the initial point of contact.  The pilot unfastened his seat belt and egressed without difficulty.  His passenger had problems unfastening his seatbelt and the pilot returned to the helicopter to assist the trapped passenger.  Weather at the time of the accident was reported as scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, winds from 130 degrees at 5 knots, temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter 30.05 inches of Mercury.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N862Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N862Z-2006-08-22), registration cancelled 2006-08-22, S/N C-5002, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: C-5002
- Airframe hours: 3029.5
- Engines: Franklin 0-335-50 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sissom and Woods Farms, Inc, doing business as Sissom and Woods Farms, Inc
- Registered owner: Sisson and Wood Farms, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005, 20 hours before
- Departed: ARG, Walnut Ridge Re, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 16; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 107 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KJBR

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62441. 665 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Report from Local Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40240656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Local%20Agencies-Redacted.PDF

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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