# NTSB NYC85LA081: Bell 47G-3, N49882, Plainsboro, NJ, June 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 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: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICPOPTER CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITH 55 GALLONS OF FERTILIZER ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT EACH TIME HE MADE A SWATH RUN OVER THE FIELD THE BLADES OF THE HELICOPTER WERE PICKING UP SOME OF THE LIQUID FERTILIZER. ON TAKEOFF HELICOPTER FELT HEAVY, ACCORDING TO THE PLT. UNABLE TO GET THE RPM BACK AND TOO LATE TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY DUMP, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN THE POTATO FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49882](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49882-2021-01-12), registration cancelled 2021-01-12, S/N 2612, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3) (registry code 1181024) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2612
- Airframe hours: 5185
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Cordoba Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: PLAINSBORO, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 15,420 total, 3,362 in this make and model, 15,357 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F

## Other investigations on N49882 (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 NYC84FGT02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGT02), Jun 4, 1984: Bell 47G-3 (N49882), Landisburg, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA79ELA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79ELA24), Apr 24, 1979: Bell 47G3 (N49882), Palatka, FL, destroyed

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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