# NTSB MIA98LA230: Bell 47D1, N4702S, Dawson, GA, August 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1998, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Dawson, GA - Location: 31.7719° N, 84.4435° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dawson, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7719&lon=-84.4435&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA230 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing resulting in debris being blown up during landing resulting in damage to the tail rotor and loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - terrain condition - loose objects - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - rotor system,tail rotor blade - foreign object damage - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that as he approached his load truck to land, debris started blowing around and the helicopter suddenly started spinning to the right. He had no tail rotor control when he applied left pedal. He then maneuvered away from the truck and the helicopter crashed to the ground. The tail rotor had been damaged by the flying debris resulting in the loss of control. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1998, about 1010 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47D1, N4702S, registered to an individual, was damaged during landing at Dawson, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the accident site, the same day, about 1000. The pilot stated that he took off from a trailer and flew over the area that was to be sprayed. He then flew back to the staging area. As he approached his load truck to land, debris started blowing around and the helicopter suddenly started spinning to the right. He had no tail rotor control when he applied left pedal. He pulled back on the cyclic control to get away from the truck and the helicopter came to rest on the ground about 100 feet away. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4702S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4702S), registered now, S/N B-101R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47D1 - Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: B-101R - Airframe hours: 8692 - Engines: Franklin 6V-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Southern Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1998, 38 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABY, 14 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 19980829022379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980829022379A), Aug 29, 1998: Bell 47D1, Dawson, GA, Substantial damage. Helicopter was involved in aerial application and was attempting to land on a truck for refueling, debris behind the truck struck the tail rotor. (-23) PIC… ## Other investigations on N4702S (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 MIA02LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA154), Aug 20, 2002: Bell 47-D1 (N4702S), Union, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. - [NTSB MIA96LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA028), Nov 15, 1995: Bell 47-D1 (N4702S), Jasper, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR SYSTEM BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.… - [NTSB LAX78FUQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUQ25), May 4, 1978: Bell 47G (N4702S), Sylmar, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX71FUQ33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUQ33), Oct 20, 1970: Bell 47G (N4702S), Van Nuys, CA, 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. --- 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.