# NTSB FTW89DRD13: Bell 47G-3B-1, N90463, Rayville, LA, August 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Rayville, LA
- Coordinates: 32.470821, -91.750633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4708&lon=-91.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD13

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE COTTON CROP.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER LOADING FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, HE 'BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER TO CHECK EVERYTHING,' THEN CONTD THE TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE 'DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT POWER' & 'TRIED TO REGAIN R.P.M. BUT WAS UNABLE.'  THE HELICOPTER THEN MOVED FORWARD INTO A 4' HIGH COTTON CROP & TOUCHED DOWN. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, HE APPLIED AFT CYCLIC TO KEEP THE HELICOPTER FROM ROCKING FORWARD. ACCORDING TO HIM THE TAIL ROTOR HIT THE GROUND, CAUSING IT TO FAIL & DAMAGE THE MAIN ROTOR. AN FAA INVESTIGATOR RPRTD THAT THE TAIL BOOM WAS CUT OFF & THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES WERE DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90463 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6669
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-R1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farmers Flying Service
- Registered owner: Farmers Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1989, 22 hours before
- Airport: Ag Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,179 total, 420 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 190 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 14 nm away

## 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 19890822031279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890822031279A), Aug 22, 1989: Bell 47G3B1, Rayville, LA, Substantial damage. Increased collective too much on takeoff causing rotor RPM to decay and collided with the ground. Cut off tailboom.

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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