# NTSB NYC83FHM01: Bell 47G, N6597D, Plainsboro, NJ, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Plainsboro, NJ
- Location: 40.3334° N, 74.6004° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plainsboro, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3334&lon=-74.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FHM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FHM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft bearing - fatigue (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft bearing - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. THE PLT LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. THE METALLURGIST REPORT OF EXAMINATION AND DISCOVERY OF FATIGUE FRACTURE AFTER THE ACCIDENT IS A PART OF THE FACTUAL REPORT. THE SHAFT THAT FAILED IS P/N 47644179-9.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6597D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6597D), registered now, S/N 1017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1017
- Airframe hours: 7400
- Engines: FRANKLIN 60-350-A 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Agricultural Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1983, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,500 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 64 °F

## 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 19830515019739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830515019739A), May 15, 1983: Bell 47G, Plainsboro, NJ, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed during aerial application flight when tail rotor drive shaft broke. PN476441799.

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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