# NTSB MIA90LA125: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1390X, Lake Wales, FL, May 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1990, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Lake Wales, FL
- Coordinates: 27.899303, -81.580444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8993&lon=-81.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND A POWER LINE POLE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.

## 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 - pole
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR A POWER LINE POLE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED IT CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND. IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE POST-CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1390X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1390X), registered now, S/N 6586 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6586
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Highland Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BOW, 5 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 19900521016869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521016869A), May 21, 1990: Bell 47G3B1, Lake Wales, FL, Destroyed. On a spray pass during turn near power pole, the right boom contacted trees, main rotor blades hit pole. Crashed

## Other investigations on N1390X (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 LAX08CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA229), Jul 15, 2008: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1390X), Shafter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the…

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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