# NTSB MIA95LA058: Bell 47G-3B, N8462E, Natchez, MS, January 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1995, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Natchez, MS
- Coordinates: 31.540281, -91.379615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5403&lon=-91.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA058

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER BY THE PILOT FOR HIS FAILURE TO SEPARATE THE DOLLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO SEPARATE THE PORTABLE TRANSPORT (DOLLY) BEFORE TAKEOFF.  DURING LIFTOFF, HE RECOGNIZED THAT THE DOLLY WAS SECURED AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND.  THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM.  A POST CRASH FIRE ENSUED.

## Factual narrative

On January 17, 1995, about 1620 central standard time, a Bell 47G-3B, N8462E, registered to Cherrybark Land and Timber Co., Inc., crashed during takeoff from a private airstrip near Natchez, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was destroyed by a post crash fire and the private-rated pilot sustained minor injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that before takeoff he failed to separate the ground handling dolly from the helicopter.  During liftoff he recognized the dolly was still attached and he attempted to land the helicopter.  The helicopter rolled onto its left side.  The main rotor blades contacted the ground then severed the tail boom and a fire ensued.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8462E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8462E-1996-10-07), registration cancelled 1996-10-07, S/N 2634 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2634
- Airframe hours: 6877
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AIA 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tillman, Clifford R.
- Registered owner: Cherrybark Land & Timber Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 16, 1994, 33 hours before
- Destination: MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 132 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HEZ, 16 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 19950117000499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950117000499A), Jan 17, 1995: Bell 47G3B, Natchez, MS, Destroyed. Failed to separate ground dolly. On liftoff realized dolly still attached. Aborted. Rolled. Chopped tail and burned

## Other investigations on N8462E (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 DEN68F0250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68F0250), Apr 12, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N8462E), Clovis, NM, 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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