# NTSB NYC70D0055: Bell 47G-5, N8556F, Union City, PA, July 7, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 7, 1969
- Place: Union City, PA · UNION CITY, PA
- Location: 41.8977° N, 79.8432° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Union City, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8977&lon=-79.8432&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC70D0055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0055

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3072   69/7/7    UNION CITY,PA       BELL 47G-5          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0740                    N8556F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 43, 7500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            4800 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MAYVILLE,NY                 UNION CITY,PA
        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
           TERRAIN - HIDDEN OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - POTATOES                                  TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID 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 -  1200                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- WIRES CONCEALED FROM PLTS VIEW BY TREES. PLT SAID HE HAD NOT SEEN WIRES DURG GRND CHECK OF AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8556F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8556F-2026-01-07), registration cancelled 2026-01-07, S/N 7804, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N8556F (2)

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 NYC74AN035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN035), Oct 25, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N8556F), Waynesburg, PA, destroyed, 2 fatal
- [NTSB MIA66A0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0122), Apr 21, 1966: Bell 47G-5 (N8556F), Mcbee, SC, 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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