# NTSB MIA88FA192: Bell 47G3B-1, N73947, Benoit, MS, June 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1988, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Benoit, MS
- Coordinates: 33.650131, -90.999832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6501&lon=-90.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA192

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - corroded (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE MISFIRED THREE TIMES DURING TAKEOFF AND LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO A RICE FIELD AND THE DAMAGED SPRAY BOOMS BECAME ENTANGLED. THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER IN THE HIGH VEGETATION. THE PLT STATED THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND SHUTDOWN AS THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR BOWL REVEALED RUST. TWO 1/4 INCH PARTICLES OF RUST WERE LYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL. NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73947](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73947-2010-09-21), registration cancelled 2010-09-21, S/N 2821 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2821
- Airframe hours: 10673
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1B 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gray'S Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gray'S Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1987, 52 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLH, 10 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 19880615046519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880615046519A), Jun 15, 1988: Bell 47G3B1, Benoit, MS, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Rolled over on landing when skids caught in rice field. Water rust in carburetor bowl.

## Other investigations on N73947 (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 LAX66A0004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0004-171141), Jul 11, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N73947), Grand Canyon, AZ, destroyed
- [NTSB DEN66A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0051), Dec 30, 1965: Bell 47G3B1 (N73947), Mesa, AZ, 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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