# NTSB FTW02LA264: Bell 47G-2, N5193B, Edmondson, AR, September 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2002, 14:12 local (19:12 UTC) - Place: Edmondson, AR - Coordinates: 35.081665, -90.30194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0817&lon=-90.3019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55769/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA264 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high voltage power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 5,450-hour commercial pilot had completed an aerial application on a cotton field, and was en route to the staging area when one of helicopter's main rotor blades contacted a wire as the pilot attempted to fly under a set of high voltage power lines. The helicopter impacted soft terrain, became inverted adjacent to the power lines where a post impact fire consumed most of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 2002, at 1412 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 agricultural helicopter, N5193B, was destroyed when it impacted a wire and terrain while maneuvering near Edmondson, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Ag Copters, Inc., of Jupiter, Florida. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a staging area near Edmondson, at 1404. The operator reported that the 5,450-hour pilot had completed spraying a cotton field, located approximately 3/8 of a mile from the staging area. During the return flight to the staging area, one of helicopter's main rotor blades contacted a wire as the pilot attempted to fly under a set of high voltage power lines. The helicopter impacted soft terrain inverted adjacent to the power lines where a post-impact fire consumed most of the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed one main rotor blades was separated approximately two feet outboard of the main rotor hub. The top assembly of the main transmission with the other main rotor blade was separated from the aircraft and was located adjacent to the main wreckage. Inspection of the high voltage power lines revealed one of the wires was damaged. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory on September 27, 2002. According to the report, "the cause of death...[was] multiple traumatic injuries." Toxicological tests performed by the Federal Aviation Administration's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) were negative for carbon monoxide and alcohol. ACETAMINOPHEN was detected in the Urine at an amount of 10.69 (ug/ml, ug/g). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5193B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5193B-2008-03-03), registration cancelled 2008-03-03, S/N 2174, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2174 - Airframe hours: 6931.5 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ag Copters Inc. - Registered owner: Modern Transportation Mode Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2002, 22 hours before - Departed: NONE, Edmondson, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 22, 2002; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,450 total, 350 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 16 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 20020925027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020925027629A), Sep 25, 2002: Bell 47G2, Edmondson, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) On September 25, 2002, at approximately 1412 hours, N5193B, a Bell helicopter bht 47G2 came in contact with high voltage transmittal lines in the… ## Other investigations on N5193B (6) 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 CHI95LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA003), Oct 3, 1994: Bell 47G2 (N5193B), Decatur, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the roller springs in the freewheeling unit of the transmission which caused the unit to disengage. - [NTSB NYC70DFM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70DFM16), Jun 8, 1970: Bell 47G2 (N5193B), Danbury, CT, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX70F0025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70F0025), Sep 4, 1968: Bell 47G-2 (N5193B), Hollywood, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal - [NTSB LAX68A0022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0022), Aug 18, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N5193B), Camarillo, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X4172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4172), Sep 26, 1964: Bell 47G2 (N5193B), Pomona, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X1672](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1672), May 8, 1964: Bell 47G2 (N5193B), Glendora, 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.