# NTSB DFW08CA188: Bell 47G-3B, N8468E, Mullen, NE, July 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2008, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Mullen, NE - Coordinates: 42.043056, -101.067222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0431&lon=-101.0672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68459/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA188 ## Probable cause The plot's distraction with the chemical load resulting the failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor was no suitable terrain for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181026), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport rated pilot was performing his third takeoff of the day with a full load of chemicals on an aerial application flight. On initial climb the helicopter did not have sufficient power to maintain the climb and began to settle. The helicopter settled into a lake in approximately 5 1/2 feet of water. The helicopter remained upright and sustained substantial damage to the drive train and rotor system as well as extensive water damage. The pilot, sole occupant, was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. The pilot stated in the Pilot / Operator Accident / Incident Report that the accident could have been prevented if he would have paid more attention to flying the helicopter than being concerned with mixing and loading of chemicals. ## Factual narrative The airline transport rated pilot was performing his third takeoff of the day with a full load of chemicals on an aerial application flight. On initial climb the helicopter did not have sufficient power to maintain the climb and began to settle. The helicopter settled into a lake in approximately 5 1/2 feet of water. The helicopter remained upright and sustained substantial damage to the drive train and rotor system as well as extensive water damage. The pilot, sole occupant, was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. The pilot stated in the Pilot / Operator Accident / Incident Report that the accident could have been prevented if he would have paid more attention to flying the helicopter than being concerned with mixing and loading of chemicals. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8468E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8468E), registered now, S/N 2647 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-a1a) (registry code 41937, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2647 - Airframe hours: 8062 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435 A1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Thedford Air Service, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007 - Airport: KMHN, Hooker County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 15,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KTIF ## 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 20080701840549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080701840549A), Jul 1, 2008: Bell 47G3B1, Mullen, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 1, 2008 at approximately 0700 CDT, the pilot of a Bell 47G-B3-1, N8468E, attempted to depart a field with a load of herbicide while conducting 14… ## Other investigations on N8468E (3) 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 OAK72FVD11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FVD11), Sep 8, 1971: Bell 47G3B (N8468E), Brentwood, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK67A0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67A0034), Sep 13, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8468E), San Rafael, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK66A0033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66A0033), Feb 12, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8468E), Antioch, CA, 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. --- 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.