# NTSB FTW82FPG11: Moore Bell 47D1, N45867, Amagon, AR, May 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1982
- Place: Amagon, AR
- Location: 35.5632° N, 91.1094° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Amagon, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5632&lon=-91.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPG11

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - corroded (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - corroded (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - other (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TEST THE AERIAL SPRAY EQUIPMENT. AFTER STARTING AND WARMING THE ENGINE, THE PILOT TOOK OFF, FLEW ABOUT 1/4 MI SOUTH, THEN FLEW NORTH. A MOTORIST STATED THAT HE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE HELICOPTER. TWO TEEN-AGERS HEARD POPPING SOUNDS, AND REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE WAS BACKFIRING, STOPPIN AND STARTING. ABOUT 1 MI NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED AND TRAVELED 82 FT BEFORE STOPPING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE HAD OPERATED ABOUT 17 HRS SINCE A MAJOR OVERHAUL ON 5/20/78. THE LAST REPORTED INSPECTION WAS ON 3/24/82. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED HEAVY RUST AND CORROSION IN THE CARBURETOR, EXTREMELY DIRTY AIR CLEANER, OLD AND SEVERELY WORN SPANK PLUGS, MODERATE RUST AND CORROSION IN THE CYLINDER BARRELS, HEAVY DEPOSITS ON THE PISTON HEADS, AND MODERATE SCORING OF THE PISTON SKIRTS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S PARENTS, THE ENGINE WOULD "POP" WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED AND THE PILOT HAD THE IDLE SET FASTER THAN NORMAL TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING ROUGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45867-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N H277, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOORE BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell-Moore 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-moore-47d1) (registry code 1180847) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: H277
- Airframe hours: 17
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335-5D reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Russell Moore
- Registered owner: Russell Moore
- Departed: AMAGON, AR
- Destination: AMAGON, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 201 total, 18 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19820508016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820508016549A), May 8, 1982: Bell 47D1, Amagon, AR, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed and burned during test flight to check spray nozzles. Witnesses heard engine popping.

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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