# NTSB FTW79DPG55: Bell 47G-2, N3550, Earle, AR, June 19, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 19, 1979
- Place: Earle, AR · EARLE, AR
- Location: 35.2734° N, 90.4643° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Earle, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2734&lon=-90.4643&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79DPG55
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPG55

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1285  79/6/19    EARLE,AR            BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1900                    N3550               PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 42, 3236 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            3015 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EARLE,AR                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               IN FLIGHT: EN ROUTE TO TREAT CROP
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - VORTEX TURBULENCE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  200                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3550](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3550-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 1942 (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
- 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 19790619013489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790619013489A), Jun 19, 1979: Bell 47G2, Earle, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he could have been caught in own vortex or another overhead. Heli. Descended with power. Hit ground.

## Other investigations on N3550 (1)

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 MIA89LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA213), Aug 5, 1989: Bell 47G-2 (N3550), Sarasota, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF…

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.
