# NTSB FTW82DA189: Bell 47D-1, N93067, Harrisburg, AR, May 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1982, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, AR
- Location: 35.5640° N, 90.7216° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harrisburg, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5640&lon=-90.7216&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA189

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - overload

## Analysis

DURING AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING OPERATION THE PILOT TURNED DOWNWIND AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A RICE DIKE. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN LOADED WITHIN 100 POUNDS OF THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93067](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93067), registered now, S/N 5501, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5501
- Airframe hours: 1375
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Don M. Barr
- Registered owner: Don M. Barr
- Departed: HARRISBURG, AR
- Destination: HARRISBURG, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 938 total, 635 in this make and model, 876 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg

## 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 19820520017559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820520017559A), May 20, 1982: Bell 47D1, Hanisburgg, AR, Substantial damage. During downwind turn tail rotor hit rice dike causing accident.

## Other investigations on N93067 (5)

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 ERA14LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA099), Jan 21, 2014: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Pell City, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s use of an improper clutch engagement procedure, which resulted in clutch glazing, slippage, and, ultimately, the in-flight disengagement of the clutch and a loss of rotor rpm.…
- [NTSB MIA92LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA069), Jan 27, 1992: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Cross City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.
- [NTSB MIA90LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA023), Nov 2, 1989: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Loxahatchee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER PULLING UP FROM A SWATH RUN. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF TREES.
- [NTSB FTW85LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA043), Nov 4, 1984: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Terlingua, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX67A0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67A0026), Sep 1, 1966: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Quartz Hill, CA, 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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