# NTSB MKC90FA130: Bell 47G-3B1, N67223, Cedar Rapids, IA, June 16, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1990, 22:30 local (Jun 16, 1990, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar Rapids, IA - Location: 42.0083° N, 91.6441° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cedar Rapids, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0083&lon=-91.6441&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 34885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90FA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA130 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT. DARKNESS AND THE PILOT'S MANNER OF FLYING THE AIRCRAFT (OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND A FENCE, SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A FAIR GROUND AT NIGHT ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT. A HOME VIDEO RECORDING OF THE TAKEOFF SHOWED AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERING OF THE HELICOPTER WITH RAPID CHANGES IN AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE, DIRECTION, AND ALTITUDE. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MADE A TURN THAT 'WAS NOT SAFE,' AND THEN IT DEPARTED AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT AGL BEFORE CRASHING ABOUT 1/8 MI AWAY. ANOTHER WITNESS REPORTED THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG A ROAD AND NEAR A POWER LINE. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE HELICOPTER WAS IN PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE, WHEN IT 'SWUNG TO THE LEFT, THEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND PLOWED INTO THE GROUND.' NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67223](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67223-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 3471, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1 - Registry model: [Bell TH-13T](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-th-13t) (registry code 1180813) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3471 - Airframe hours: 6230 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Badger Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Unknown - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1990, 60 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 643 total, 173 in this make and model, 562 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CID, 5 nm away ## 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 19900615065769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900615065769A), Jun 15, 1990: Bell 47G3B1, Cedar Rapids, IA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Apparently hit wires,crashed,burned on takeoff. Reported pilot had flown reckless manner. Insufficient egress route ## Other investigations on N67223 (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 MIA90LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA123), May 19, 1990: Bell TH-13T (N67223), Biloxi, MS, no damage. Probable cause: THE PASSENGER'S INTENTIONAL ACT OF JUMPING IN THE AIR WITH HIS ARM RAISED WHILE UNDER THE MAIN ROTOR. 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.