# NTSB SEA04LA114: Bell 47G-3B-1, N73909, Medford, OR, June 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2004, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Medford, OR - Coordinates: 42.224723, -122.966667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2247&lon=-122.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59499/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering. Trees were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while flying over mountainous terrain with a slight slope on the last pass of aerial application spraying, the helicopter struck a snag (dead tree). The engine lost power and the helicopter collided with the terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2004, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N73909, registered to DSM Inc., operated by Pacific Air Research as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with trees and terrain located about 14 nautical miles southwest of Medford, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged by impact damage and post-crash fire. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Company personnel reported that the pilot had been dispensing a herbicide in the area for about one hour and 20 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses in the area reported that the helicopter was returning to the staging area for another load of herbicide when they heard the crash. In a written statement, the pilot reported that while flying over mountainous terrain with a slight slope on the last pass, the helicopter struck a snag (dead tree). The engine lost power and the helicopter collided with the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73909](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73909), registered now, S/N 2797, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2797 - Airframe hours: 6575 - Engines: Allison C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Pacific Air Research - Registered owner: DSM Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 5, 2004, 69 hours before - Departed: Medford, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 10, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 9,435 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: MFR, 10 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 20040623012469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040623012469A), Jun 23, 2004: Bell 47G3B1, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was making his last spray run when he thought his rotor blade struck a dead tree. Helicopter started vibrating. Pilot said he then dumped… ## Other investigations on N73909 (6) 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 SEA94LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA065), Feb 24, 1994: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73909), Gold Hill, OR, destroyed. Probable cause: SEPARATION OF THE CROSSOVER FUEL LINE, AND THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE AUTOROTATION. - [NTSB SEA74DYA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYA12), Oct 2, 1973: Bell 47G-3B (N73909), New Meadows, ID, destroyed - [NTSB LAX70A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70A0008), Jul 30, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 3 fatal - [NTSB LAX69D0357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0357), May 21, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN66A0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0074), Apr 12, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N73909), Grand Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal - [NTSB UNK64X0473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0473), Feb 5, 1964: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Little Nway, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal 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.