# NTSB MKC82DA151: Bell 47G-2A, N73205, Washington, IA, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 19:15 local (Aug 22, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Washington, IA
- Coordinates: 41.289672, -91.690994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2897&lon=-91.6910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - aerial
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING AIR TAXIED TO THE REFUELING LOCATION WHEN IT CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LIFTED OFF AND WAS ABOUT 6 FT AGL WITH ABOUT 20 KTS FORWARD SPEED WHEN HE SUDDENLY FELT A SNAP AND THE CYCLIC WENT FULL LEFT. THE HELICOPTER BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND FLEW INTO THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A BOLT, PN 20-057-4-16D, USED TO SECURE THE LATERAL SERVO TO THE AIRFRAME, WAS NOT IN PLACE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73205](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73205-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 2695, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2695
- Airframe hours: 4931
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Washington Flying Service
- Registered owner: Joe Timmins
- Departed: WASHINGTON, IA
- Destination: WASHINGTON, IA
- Airport: C61, Washington Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,300 total, 280 in this make and model, 2,010 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820821043459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821043459A), Aug 21, 1982: Bell 47G2A, Washington, IA, Substantial damage. Lost cyclic control during aerial taxi to gas pit. Unsecured bolt assembly fell out after recent maintenance.

## Other investigations on N73205 (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 FTW78DRG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRG40), May 15, 1978: Bell 47G-2A (N73205), Rio Grande C., TX, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.