# NTSB MIA98TA243: Bell BHT-47-G3B1, N73957, Buckhead Ridge, FL, September 9, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1998, 20:30 local (Sep 9, 1998, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckhead Ridge, FL
- Coordinates: 27.240495, -80.820777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2405&lon=-80.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98TA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98TA243

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for a tailwind condition on liftoff from the helipad.

## Analysis

As the aerial application helicopter was lifting off the trailer mounted helipad, a gust of wind from behind caused the rotorcraft to lurch forward and snag the toe of the right skid under a toolbox.  In the process of disengaging the skid, the pilot set down off-center and slipped off the helipad edge, causing substantial damage to the helicopter and minor damage to the helipad.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1998, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Bell BHT-47-G3B1, N73957, registered to Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 public-use flight, crashed during takeoff from a trailer mounted helipad near Buckhead Ridge, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter received substantial damage, the trailer was slightly damaged, and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's statement, a recent rain shower had wet everything previous to his takeoff.  On liftoff, as the helicopter became light on its skids, a gust of wind from behind caused the craft to slide on the wet diamond metal plate platform enough to snag the toe of the right skid under a permanently mounted toolbox.  As the pilot maneuvered to disengage the skid, the helicopter shifted rightward relative to the helipad centerline, and when he set the helicopter back down the right skid slipped off the right edge of the helipad.  The main rotor collided with the ground resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter and minor damage to the aft edge of the helipad.

The flight was being operated under contract to the municipal agency, Glades County Mosquito Control of Glades County, Florida.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73957 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell BHT-47-G3B1 (BHT-47-G3B)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2827
- Airframe hours: 8630
- Engines: Allison 250-C20 260 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarke Environmental Mosquito
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1998, 29 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 804 total, 93 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 57 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 19980908038889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980908038889A), Sep 8, 1998: Bell 47G3B1, Buckhead Ridge, FL, Substantial damage. (-23)On September 8, 1998, about 2114 eastern daylight time. A Bell BHT-47-G3B1, N73957, registered to clarke environmental mosquito management, operating as a…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.