# NTSB MIA85LA224: Bell TH-13T, N31FG, Quitman, GA, August 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1985, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Quitman, GA
- Coordinates: 30.78066, -83.560798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7807&lon=-83.5608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA224

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PILOT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A LEFT TURN AT THE END OF A COTTON FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT YAWED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND THE YAW COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WITH CYCLIC CONTROL. ANOTHER LEFT TURN AT THE OPPSITE END OF THE FIELD THE AIRCRAFT AGAIN YAWED TO THE LEFT. CONTROL WAS REGAINED AND AS A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS BEING MADE IN THE COTTON FIELD THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL ONTO ITS SIDE. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31FG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31FG), registered now, S/N 3834, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TH-13T
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3834
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: C And C Flying Service,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,950 total, 1,950 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 15 nm away

## Other investigations on N31FG (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 ATL93LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA009), Oct 9, 1992: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N31FG), Centre, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

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.