# NTSB NYC92FA117: Bell 47-G4A, N1041B, Shelburne Falls, MA, June 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1992, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Shelburne Falls, MA
- Location: 42.6095° N, 72.7470° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shelburne Falls, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6095&lon=-72.7470&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE.  CONTRIBUTING WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING LOW FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE TWO PASSENGERS TO OBSERVE THEIR COMPANY'S FIBER OPTIC CABLES.  ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS TAKING A VIDEO OF THE CABLES DURING THE FLIGHT.  THE VIDEO TAPE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND SHOWS THE HELICOPTER IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL.  THE VIDEO TAPE SHOWS POWER LINES COMING INTO VIEW, RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHT PATH, THE SUBSEQUENT WIRE STRIKE AND THEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO IMPACT INTO A RIVER THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE FLIGHT PATH.  WHEN THE WIRES CAME INTO VIEW ON THE VIDEO TAPE THE PILOT TOOK NO EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO CHANGE ALTITUDE OR THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1041B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1041B-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 7653, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7653
- Airframe hours: 5846
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540B1B3 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Yves Gosselin, doing business as Belchertown Aviation
- Registered owner: Yves Gosselin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1991, 61 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BELCHERTOWN, MA
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 810 total, 775 in this make and model, 698 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °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 19920616020669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920616020669A), Jun 16, 1992: Bell 47G4A, Shelburne Falls, MA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck wires flying low over a river on a business survey flight. Dropped into river on impact.

## Other investigations on N1041B (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 DEN85LTG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTG06), Jul 30, 1985: Bell 47G-4A (N1041B), Minot, ND, 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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