# NTSB MKC77FCJ20: Bell 47G, N617X, Elgin, NE, May 17, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 17, 1977
- Place: Elgin, NE · ELGIN, NE
- Location: 41.9831° N, 98.0828° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elgin, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9831&lon=-98.0828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC77FCJ20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FCJ20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1343  77/5/17  NR.ELGIN,NE           BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0925                    N617X               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 42, 4421 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            731 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ELGIN,NE                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: LINES AND FITTINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  800                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      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 -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  2000                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- LEFT FUEL TANK FUEL LINE RETAINING NUT FOUND LOOSE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N617X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N617X), registered now, S/N C-5016, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell-Carson 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-carson-47g) (registry code 1181001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- 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 19770517012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770517012379A), May 17, 1977: Bell 47G, Elgin, NE, Substantial damage. Left fuel tank fuel line retaining nut found loose

## Other investigations on N617X (2)

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 MKC75FCJ59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCJ59), Jun 11, 1975: Carson Rell 47G (N617X), Oakdale, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA69F0082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0082), Oct 8, 1968: Carson-Bell 47-G (N617X), Sandston, VA, 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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