# NTSB FTW72DPA10: Bell 47J, N2897B, Elkhart, TX, August 10, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 10, 1971
- Place: Elkhart, TX · ELKHART, TX
- Location: 31.6312° N, 95.5805° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elkhart, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6312&lon=-95.5805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72DPA10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPA10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3002  71/8/10    ELKHART,TEX         BELL 47J            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 2290
        TIME - 1050                    N2897B              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 76 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GRAPELAND,TEX               ELKHART,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   70                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- SPRAYING PEANUTS.WIND GUSTING 20K.ENCTRD GUST,SKIDS CAUGHT ON PEANUT VINES,PLT LOST CTL OF COPTER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2897B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2897B-2009-07-24), registration cancelled 2009-07-24, S/N 1762, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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