# NTSB IAD76FIJ05: Bell 47G4, N73943, Tams Mt, WV, September 26, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 26, 1975
- Place: Tams Mt, WV · TAMS MT, WV
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD76FIJ05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76FIJ05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4011  75/9/26    TAMS MT,WV          BELL 47G4           CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0815                    N73943              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 25, 5800 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            3800 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TAMS MT,WV                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (GROUND CREW)
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: DEFICIENCY,COMPANY MAINTAINED EQPMT,SERVICES,REGULATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL GRADE-IMPROPER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STICKING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JETTISONED LOAD
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3500                       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (DUST)
          KIND OF CROP - FOREST-TREES                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -MOUNTAINOUS
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  2800
        REMARKS- WATER IN CARB BOWL & FUEL TRUCK.AUTOMOTIVE FUEL USED.STUCK VALVE IN ONE CYLINDER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73943](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73943), registered now, S/N 2862 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19750926037089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750926037089A), Sep 26, 1975: Bell 47G4, Tams Mt, WV, Substantial damage. Water in carb bowl & fuel truck. Automotive fuel used. Stuck valve in one cylinder.

## Other investigations on N73943 (2)

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 NYC71FHD32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHD32), Dec 2, 1970: Bell 47G-4 (N73943), Philadelphia, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC70F0186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70F0186), Oct 16, 1969: Bell 47G-4 (N73943), E Providence, RI, 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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