# NTSB MKC78DTK29: Bell 47G, N128B, Elk Point, SD, July 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 29, 1978
- Place: Elk Point, SD · ELK POINT, SD
- Location: 42.6812° N, 96.6805° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elk Point, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6812&lon=-96.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 22, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC78DTK29
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DTK29

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2011  78/7/29    ELK POINT,SD        BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1500                    N128B               PX-  0  0  1  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 62, 4265 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            448 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELK POINT,SD                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: FLAREOUT FOR SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - OTHER
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          GLOVES - NOT USED                                        GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - NOT AVAILABLE                             COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1130                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - DOWNWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- POLLINATING SEED CORN WITH ROTOR WASH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N128B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N128B-2003-08-19), registration cancelled 2003-08-19, S/N 48, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47b) (registry code 1180604) (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 19780729021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780729021449A), Jul 29, 1978: Bell 47G, Elk Point, SD, Substantial damage. Pollinating seed corn with rotor wash.

## Other investigations on N128B (1)

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 CHI87FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA139), Jun 3, 1987: Bell 47G (N128B), Dayton, MN, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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