# NTSB NYC90DGM02: Bell 47D1, N310A, Meadville, PA, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1990, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.639415, -80.139678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6394&lon=-80.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DGM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DGM02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING TO REPLENISH THE SPRAY SYSTEM, THE PILOT OF THE AERIAL APPLICATION HELICOPTER DEPARTED TO SPRAY ANOTHER FIELD. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE STAGING AREA THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES, AND FELL TO THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED CONTROL CONTINUITY THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, AND NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY. THE OWNER OF THE FARM BEING SPRAYED STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN SPRAYING HIS FIELDS FOR TWENTY YEARS AND SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE LOCATION OF THE POWER LINES STRUNG ACROSS THE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N310A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N310A), registered now, S/N 82, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 82
- Airframe hours: 8038
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-178-B32 178 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ohio Ag Rotors Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1990, 23 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,030 total, 10,025 in this make and model, 15,980 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: NOA, 18 nm away

## 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 19900622021819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900622021819A), Jun 22, 1990: Bell 47D1, Meadville, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline and crashed while entering field to be sprayed. Had sprayed same field for 20 years.

## Other investigations on N310A (1)

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 NYC68A0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68A0011), Jul 20, 1967: Bell 47-D1 (N310A), Waterford, PA, 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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