# NTSB NYC96LA145: Bell 47G-5, N8591F, Carver, MA, July 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1996, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Carver, MA - Location: 41.8834° N, 70.7625° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Carver, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8834&lon=-70.7625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39213/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA145 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate visual look out for obstacles, which resulted in a collision with wires and the ground. ## 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 - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The helicopter collided with power lines after the pilot completed an aerial spray run of a cranberry bog. According to the pilot, '...As I was departing the bog, I saw wires directly in front of me. I pulled back on the cyclic and raised the collective to try to fly over the wires. I cleared the wires initially, but could not recover from the maneuver before contacting the ground. The wind was behind me, and when at the top of the pull-up, I realized I couldn't fly out of it, and did a right 180 degree pedal turn, and lowered the nose to dive into the wind, I hit the ground in a level attitude before I could complete the maneuver.' ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1996, at 1240 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-5, a helicopter, N8591F, was substantially damaged when it collided with wires after takeoff from a cranberry bog, near Carver, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight that was destined for Plymouth, Massachusetts. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: "...I had just finished fertilizing the 'telephone' piece of the Smith-Hammond bog...As I was departing the bog, I saw wires directly in front of me. I pulled back on the cyclic and raised the collective to try to fly over the wires. I cleared the wires initially, but could not recover from the maneuver before contacting the ground. The wind was from behind me, and when at the top of the pull-up I realized I couldn't fly out of it, and did a right 180 degree pedal turn and lowered the nose to dive into the wind. I hit the ground in a level attitude before I could complete the maneuver..." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the helicopter struck the wires between the poles. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction of the helicopter's systems or controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8591F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8591F-1996-10-11), registration cancelled 1996-10-11, S/N 7812 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7812 - Airframe hours: 5169 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Wiggins Airways Inc. - Registered owner: Piper East, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1996, 35 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 10,900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EWB, 13 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 19960708016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960708016149A), Jul 8, 1996: Bell 47G5, Wareham, MA, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck power lines in flight during aerial application. (-23) pilot had completed aerial application of fertilizer to cranberry bog and was… ## Other investigations on N8591F (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 NYC90DNA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DNA02), Apr 26, 1990: Bell 47G5 (N8591F), Marion, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. - [NTSB NYC67A0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0028), Aug 17, 1966: Bell 47G-5 (N8591F), St.James, NY, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.