# NTSB NYC71FHA51: Bell 47G2, N8426E, Branchville, NJ, June 8, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 8, 1971
- Place: Branchville, NJ · BRANCHVILLE, NJ
- Location: 41.1472° N, 74.7490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Branchville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1472&lon=-74.7490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 6, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC71FHA51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHA51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1465   71/6/8    BRANCHVILLE,NJ      BELL 47G2           CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 3900
        TIME - 0605                    N8426E              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1200 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRANFORD TWNSHP,NJ          LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  400                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING FORESTS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -MOUNTAINOUS
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  50                                DENSE WITH TREES
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM                          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- MR BLADE AND GRIP ASSY SEPARATED DUE FATIGUE FAILURE OF GRIP ASSY.WAS IMPROPER GRIP FOR BELL 47G2.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8426E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8426E-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 2543, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N8426E (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 MKC82DA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA082), May 14, 1982: Bell 47G2 (N8426E), Thornton, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC71FHD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHD18), Aug 24, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N8426E), Medford, NJ, 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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