# NTSB MKC79FCD41: Bell 47G-3B, N8471E, Pierson, IA, September 25, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 25, 1979
- Place: Pierson, IA · PIERSON, IA
- Location: 42.5436° N, 95.8665° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pierson, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5436&lon=-95.8665&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79FCD41
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCD41

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2740  79/9/25  NR.PIERSON,IA         BELL 47G-3B         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 762
        TIME - 0758                    N8471E              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 135 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         PIERSON,IA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: 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
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  135                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    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 -  1320                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- STRUCK POWER LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8471E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8471E-1997-12-24), registration cancelled 1997-12-24, S/N 2654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (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 19790925024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790925024189A), Sep 25, 1979: Bell 47G3B, Pierson, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot flew into wires while conducting agricultural spraying.

## Other investigations on N8471E (5)

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 MKC89LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA181), Aug 15, 1989: Bell 47G-B3 (N8471E), Waseca, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE), AND CROP (BEANS) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
- [NTSB CHI83LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA264), Jun 17, 1983: Bell 47-G3B (N8471E), Litchfield, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN69D0071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0071), Aug 4, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N8471E), Dubois, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0008), Jul 27, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N8471E), Bondurant, WY, destroyed, 2 fatal
- [NTSB SEA67A0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0005), Jul 19, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8471E), Lakeview, OR, 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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