# NTSB FTW74DRA03: Bell 47D1, N9713C, Sealey, TX, July 13, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 13, 1973
- Place: Sealey, TX · SEALEY, TX
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74DRA03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DRA03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1683  73/7/13    SEALEY,TEX          BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0830                    N9713C              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 43, 13800 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 10000 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SEALEY,TEX                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               IN FLIGHT: FLAREOUT FOR SWATH RUN
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           MISCELLANEOUS - VORTEX TURBULENCE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 5500                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    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 -  400                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- FLEW INTO OWN TURB FROM PREVIOUS SWATH RUN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9713C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9713C-2009-09-18), registration cancelled 2009-09-18, S/N CH-2004, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730713021019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730713021019A), Jul 13, 1973: Bell 47D1, Sealey, TX, Substantial damage. Flew into own turb from previous swath run.

## Other investigations on N9713C (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 FTW71FRA65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRA65), Jun 14, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N9713C), Alvin, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC66A0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66A0006), Jul 24, 1965: Bell 47D-1 (N9713C), Wichita, KS, destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X3311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3311), Aug 9, 1964: Bell 47D1 (N9713C), Rose Hill, KS, 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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