# NTSB MKC77DCA14: Bell 47D-1, N4231A, Dexter, MO, March 30, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 30, 1977
- Place: Dexter, MO · DEXTER, MO
- Location: 36.7928° N, 89.9630° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dexter, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7928&lon=-89.9630&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC77DCA14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DCA14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0554  77/3/30    DEXTER,MO           BELL 47D-1          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1430                    N4231A              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 33, 4800 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            152 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DEXTER,MO                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1430                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  300                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- HELICOPTER TAIL CAUGHT WIRE WHEN FLYING UNDER HIGH LINES DURING SPRAYING OPERATION
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4231A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770330006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770330006949A), Mar 30, 1977: Bell 47D1, Dexter, KS, Substantial damage. Helicopter tail caught wire when flying under high lines during spraying operation

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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