# NTSB FTW68D0516: Bell Tomcat, N5192B, Decatur, TX, April 3, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 3, 1968
- Place: Decatur, TX · DECATUR, TX
- Location: 33.2265° N, 97.5872° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Decatur, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2265&lon=-97.5872&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW68D0516
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0516

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0648   68/4/3    DECATUR,TEX         BELL TOMCAT         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 4500
        TIME - 1725                    N5192B              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1500 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1200                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1000                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- FLYING UNDER POWER LINE.TAIL ROTOR DESTROYED ON CONTACT WITH POWER LINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5192B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5192B-1968-06-11), registration cancelled 1968-06-11, S/N 1736 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TOMCAT
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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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