# NTSB MIA79ELA24: Bell 47G3, N49882, Palatka, FL, April 24, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 24, 1979
- Place: Palatka, FL · PALATKA, FL
- Location: 29.6501° N, 81.6719° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palatka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6501&lon=-81.6719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79ELA24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79ELA24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2092  79/4/24  NR.PALATKA,FL         BELL 47G3           CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 7600
        TIME - 0600                    N49882              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 485 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HASTINGS,FL                PALATKA,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 4174                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - POTATOES                                  TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  52
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        REMARKS- FAILURE OF ROTOR BLADES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49882](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49882-2021-01-12), registration cancelled 2021-01-12, S/N 2612, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3) (registry code 1181024) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790424016179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790424016179A), Apr 24, 1979: Bell 47G3, Palatka, FL, Destroyed. Tail rotor blade failed during ag spray run. Aircraft crashed out of control.

## Other investigations on N49882 (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 NYC85LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA081), Jun 15, 1985: Bell 47G-3 (N49882), Plainsboro, NJ, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC84FGT02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGT02), Jun 4, 1984: Bell 47G-3 (N49882), Landisburg, PA, 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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