# NTSB MKC82DA094: Continental Mk5a Bell 47, N9008T, Neligh, NE, May 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1982, 20:30 local (May 30, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Neligh, NE
- Coordinates: 42.130149, -98.019905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1301&lon=-98.0199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA094

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT HELIPAD WITH 12 GALLONS OF FUEL. AFTER LANDING IN THE LOADING AREA, HE LEFT THE ENGINE AND SPRAY PUMPS RUNNING TO MIX THE SOLUTION IN HIS SPRAY TANKS. AFTER SPRAYING THE FIELD, HE RAN OUT OF FUEL ABOUT ONE MILE FROM HIS PLANNED TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE AIRPORT. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE IN A SOFT ALFALFA FIELD. AS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN, IT STARTED TO NOSE OVER ON THE SOFT GROUND AND THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED THE BOOM AND DAMAGED THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9008T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL MK5A BELL 47
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-742
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Antelope Co. Farms Union Coop
- Registered owner: Antelope Co. Farms Union Coop
- Departed: NELIGH, NE
- Destination: NELIGH, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,941 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,737 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

## 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 19820529020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820529020249A), May 29, 1982: Bell OH13HMK5A, Neligh, NE, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency autorotation landing when engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.

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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