# NTSB GAA15CA202: Bell 47G, N1420W, De Queen, AR, July 25, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2015, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC) - Place: De Queen, AR - Coordinates: 34.02639, -94.154167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0264&lon=-94.1542&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91648/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91648 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to conduct helicopter performance planning, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with a truck and terrain during takeoff from an elevated platform. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Oversight: oversight of personnel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032010): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Operator; cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032010/cases.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-4A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181031), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the skid-equipped helicopter, he had loaded the helicopter with the liquid to be used during the agricultural aerial application flight. The pilot and operator both stated during interviews, that performance planning calculations were not performed prior to the flight, regarding adjustments pertaining to weight and balance, density altitude, out of ground effect capability or in ground effect capability. According to the operator, an FAA approved weight and balance form was not provided to the pilot until after the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff from the elevated platform, he increased collective, established a 2 inch hover, applied forward cyclic, and the helicopter, "about a foot or two from the platform, shook violently and started to descend." The pilot recounted that he turned the nose of the helicopter approximately 45 degrees to the left and the main rotor blades impacted the tank truck upon which the elevated platform was mounted. When asked, the pilot stated that, "the temperature was hot, possibly in the lower 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and no wind." The nearest weather station was 7 miles east of the accident site and reported 100 percent humidity, a temperature of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a dew point of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, no wind and a density altitude of 1,698.7 feet, at an airport elevation of 355 feet. The accident site elevation was 457 feet. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the skid-equipped helicopter, he had loaded the helicopter with the liquid to be used during the agricultural aerial application flight. The pilot and operator both stated during interviews, that performance planning calculations were not performed prior to the flight, regarding adjustments pertaining to weight and balance, density altitude, out of ground effect capability or in ground effect capability. According to the operator, an FAA approved weight and balance form was not provided to the pilot until after the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff from the elevated platform, he increased collective, established a 2 inch hover, applied forward cyclic, and the helicopter, "about a foot or two from the platform, shook violently and started to descend." The pilot recounted that he turned the nose of the helicopter approximately 45 degrees to the left and the main rotor blades impacted the tank truck upon which the elevated platform was mounted. When asked, the pilot stated that, "the temperature was hot, possibly in the lower 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and no wind." The nearest weather station was 7 miles east of the accident site and reported 100 percent humidity, a temperature of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a dew point of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, no wind and a density altitude of 1,698.7 feet, at an airport elevation of 355 feet. The accident site elevation was 457 feet. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1420W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1420W), registered now, S/N 7663, built 1969 (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: 7663 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 8014.3 - Engines: Rolls Royce T63-A-720 C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hammock Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Hammock Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 2015, 51 hours before - Departed: DEQ, De Queen, AR - Destination: DEQ, De Queen, AR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,434 total, 625 in this make and model, 5,354 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: DEQ, 15 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 20150725014259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150725014259A), Jul 25, 2015: Bell 47G-4A, De Queen, AR, Substantial damage. On July 25, 2015, at approximately 0730 CDT, a Bell 47G-4A, N1420W, registered to hammock flying service, inc., lifted to a hover from a platform atop a fuel… ## Other investigations on N1420W (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 NYC70F0107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70F0107), Aug 13, 1969: Bell 47G-4A (N1420W), East Poultney, VT, destroyed ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91648. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Hammock Flying Services Accident Prevention Plan - Email (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Hammock%20Flying%20Services%20Accident%20Prevention%20Plan%20-%20Email-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot and Operator (item 3, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot%20and%20Operator-Master.PDF - Photo (item 4, .PDF, 489 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.