# NTSB MIA00LA257: Bell 47G-3B-1, N53SP, Canton, MS, September 1, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2000, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Canton, MS
- Coordinates: 32.610816, -90.030509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6108&lon=-90.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA257

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

The pilot stated he had a wire strike which he believes led to an in-flight fire. He landed the helicopter upright and fire consumed the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 2000, about 0935 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N53SP, registered to an individual, crashed while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from the local area about 0900.

The pilot stated he had a wire strike which he believes led to an in-flight fire. The helicopter was subsequently landed standing upright. By this time the helicopter was engulfed in flames. He exited the helicopter and watched it burn.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53SP-2001-08-10), registration cancelled 2001-08-10, S/N 67-17111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 67-17111
- Airframe hours: 7792
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1F 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Valley Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Danny L. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2000, 200 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,412 total, 1,210 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 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 20000901013999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000901013999A), Sep 1, 2000: Bell 47G3B1, Canton, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Heli contracted power wires during aerial application and crashed. (.4) on September 1, 2000, about 0935 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N53SP,…

## Other investigations on N53SP (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 MIA89LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA165), May 30, 1989: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N53SP), Keystone Hgts., FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM BECAME DISCONNECTED DUE TO A BENT TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THE TREES CONTRIBUTED TO THE HELICOPTER DAMAGE.
- [NTSB MIA86LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA222), Jun 20, 1986: Bell 47G3B1 (N53SP), Cleveland, MS, 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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