# NTSB FTW85LA074: Bell 47D1, N5226, Ardmore, OK, December 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1984, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ardmore, OK
- Coordinates: 34.190109, -97.109458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1901&lon=-97.1095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA074

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, dual student
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING A RECOVERY FROM A PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT FOR RECOVERY AND DID NOT SEE THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5226](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5226-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 37, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- 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: 37
- Airframe hours: 8100
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335-B 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.S. Hickman Versitol Helicop.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1984, 79 hours before
- Departed: ADM, ARDMORE, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,765 total, 2,623 in this make and model, 2,765 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: F39

## 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 19841207076719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841207076719A), Dec 7, 1984: Bell 47D1, Ardmore, OK, Substantial damage. During power recovery by CFI aircraft struck 3 power lines. Impacted ground in right nose down attitude.

## Other investigations on N5226 (4)

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 FTW02LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA044), Dec 1, 2001: Bell 47G (N5226), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's selection of an unsuitable area for practicing a full touchdown autorotation, which resulted in a nose over. A contributing factor was the soft ground.
- [NTSB FTW96LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA192), Apr 26, 1996: Bell 47D1 (N5226), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student's inadvertent dynamic rollover, and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor.
- [NTSB FTW76FPA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FPA15), Dec 7, 1975: Bell 47D-1 (N5226), Irving, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75FUA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUA04), Jul 28, 1974: Bell 47D-1 (N5226), Seal Beach, 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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