# NTSB MKC72FCJ19: Bell 47D1, N903B, Bellwood, NE, August 21, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 21, 1971
- Place: Bellwood, NE · BELLWOOD, NE
- Location: 41.3419° N, 97.2399° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bellwood, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3419&lon=-97.2399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 4, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC72FCJ19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCJ19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3087  71/8/21    BELLWOOD,NEBR       BELL 47D1           CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1959                    N903B               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 24, 2116 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            76 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BELLWOOD,NEBR               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   49                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - NOT AVAILABLE
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1450                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
```

## 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 MIA88LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA212), Jul 4, 1988: Bell 47D1 (N903B), Ruleville, MS, substantial damage
- [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.

---
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.