# NTSB FTW98LA030: Bell 47G-4A, N7104J, Welsh, LA, October 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Welsh, LA - Coordinates: 30.229324, -92.810256 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2293&lon=-92.8103&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 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA030 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction. The abrupt maneuver was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,static - maneuver to avoid obstructions - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application ## Analysis While applying herbicide in a northeast direction, the pilot observed a road running east to west in front of his flight path. As the helicopter approached the road, the pilot 'sensed' that a power line was running adjacent to it. He immediately executed a 'hard cyclic turn to the right.' The helicopter settled, with a 'slight' nose low attitude, into heavy brush. After contacting the ground, the helicopter rolled over, the main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A helicopter, N7104J, owned and operated by Industrial Helicopters, Inc., of Lafayette, Louisiana, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground near Welsh, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was uninjured. A company VFR flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, which originated from Welsh Airport, Welsh, Louisiana, at 0955. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was flying in a northeasterly direction, applying herbicide, when he noticed a power line running north to south on his right. He then observed a road in front of him running east to west. The pilot stated that he did not see the power line running east to west, adjacent to the road, breaking off from the north-south running power line. However, as he approached the road, he "sensed" that there was a power line present and executed a "hard cyclic turn to the right." The pilot was then able to view the power line, between the spray boom and the main rotor blades, "about 4 feet" from the helicopter's door. As the helicopter moved away from the power line, the pilot felt a "mild vibration," and the helicopter's tail turned into the wind, "causing a sudden rate of descent with a nose down attitude." The pilot reported that the winds were from "010 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 7 knots." The helicopter settled, with a "slight" nose low attitude, into an area of "heavy brush." The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its left side. Inspection of the helicopter, by a FAA inspector, revealed that the center frame sustained structural damage. The main rotor blades, the tail rotor blades, the tail rotor drive shaft and the gear box supports were also damaged. Attempts to contact the pilot-in-command for a telephone interview, thru the operator, were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7104J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7104J-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 7744, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-4A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7744 - Airframe hours: 10673 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 435 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Industrial Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 1997, 111 hours before - Departed: 6R1, LA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F ## 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 19971016046479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971016046479A), Oct 16, 1997: Bell 47G4A, Welch, LA, No damage. (-23) On October 16, 1997, at approximately 0955 CDT, a Bell 47G-4A helicopter, N7104J, owned and operated by industrial helicopters inc., under title 14 CFR… ## Other investigations on N7104J (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 FTW79FRD52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRD52), Sep 6, 1979: Bell 47G-4A (N7104J), Hackberry, LA, 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. --- 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.