# NTSB FTW77FRD09: Bell 47G-4A, N2218W, Ville Platte, LA, March 29, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 29, 1977
- Place: Ville Platte, LA · VILLE PLATTE, LA
- Location: 30.6899° N, 92.2742° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ville Platte, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6899&lon=-92.2742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FRD09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRD09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0514  77/3/29    VILLE PLATTE,LA     BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 49, 11575
        TIME - 1130                    N2218W              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 3200 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VILLE PLATTE,LA             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIDDEN OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     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 -  35                  SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- POLES SUPPORTING WIRE HIDDEN IN TREES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2218W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2218W-1977-05-21), registration cancelled 1977-05-21, S/N 7686 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770329006389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770329006389A), Mar 29, 1977: Bell 47G4A, Ville Platte, LA, Destroyed. Poles supporting wire hidden in trees.

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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