# NTSB MIA88LA212: Bell 47D1, N903B, Ruleville, MS, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1988, 20:15 local (Jul 4, 1988, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Ruleville, MS
- Coordinates: 33.719566, -90.549865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7196&lon=-90.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA212

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - not possible (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT WHILE SPRAYING CHEMICALS THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION BUT WAS TOO LOW AND SLOW TO COMPLETE IT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD IN THE FIELD OF CROPS AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DID NOT REVEAL ANY REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N903B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N903B), registered now, S/N 847, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 847
- Airframe hours: 3566
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agri Flex, Inc.
- Registered owner: Agri Flex, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1987, 100 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,442 total, 163 in this make and model, 11,355 as pilot in command, 472 in the last 90 days, 188 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLH, 27 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 19880703025389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880703025389A), Jul 3, 1988: Bell 47D1, Ruleville, MS, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit on a spray run. Made forced run on landing and nosed over power loss undetermined.

## Other investigations on N903B (4)

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 LAX05LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA022), Oct 31, 2004: Bell 47D1 (N903B), San Martin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MKC72FCJ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCJ19), Aug 21, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N903B), Bellwood, NE, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC70DCJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70DCJ27), Jun 4, 1970: Bell 47D1 (N903B), David City, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW68A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68A0032), Sep 18, 1967: Bell 47D1 (N903B), Russellville, AR, 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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