# NTSB NYC03CA170: Bell 47G-2A, N7796C, Jackson, NJ, July 30, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 30, 2003, 06:10 local (10:10 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, NJ
- Coordinates: 40.14611, -74.434448
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1461&lon=-74.4344&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Philadelphia FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03CA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA170

## Probable cause

Pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove a pesticide spraying hose from the helicopter prior to takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerial application equipment - not removed (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot performed two aerial application flights over the amusement park, and landed to reload chemicals for the third flight of the morning.  He stated he was "in a hurry," and did not confirm that the right side chemical loading hose was disconnected from the helicopter, prior to takeoff for the third flight.  As the pilot initiated takeoff, the loading hose "pulled" the helicopter downward, and it impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 2003, at 0610 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A helicopter, N7796C, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Six Flags Amusement Park, in Jackson, New Jersey.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the agricultural application flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137.

According to the pilot, he performed two flights over the amusement park, and landed to reload chemicals for the third flight of the morning.  He stated he was "in a hurry" for several reasons, and did not confirm that the right side chemical loading hose was disconnected from the helicopter prior to takeoff for the third flight.

As the pilot initiated takeoff, the loading hose "pulled" the helicopter downward, and it impacted the ground.

The pilot reported 8,415 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, 6,000 of which were in make and model.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7796C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7796C-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 1486-HS1, built 1967 (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: 1486
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435A1F reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: East Coast Helicopter Inc, doing business as East Coast Helicopters
- Registered owner: East Coast Helicopter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, Jackson, NJ
- Destination: NONE, Jackson, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 18, 2002; flight hours: 8,526 total, 6,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: TTN

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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