# NTSB SEA05CA122: Bell 47G-3B-1, N8554F, Brewster, WA, June 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2005, 05:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Brewster, WA - Coordinates: 48.104721, -119.720558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1047&lon=-119.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61765/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent anti-torque pedal input, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with trees while hovering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - tail rotor/anti-torque control - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was in a slow hover about 6 to 8 feet above the trees. While turning left, his foot slipped off the right anti-torque pedal. This resulted in his left foot applying left anti-torque pedal, and the helicopter began to spin to the left. The helicopter's skid landing gear contacted the trees, and the helicopter descended to the ground and rolled onto its right side. The transmission, mast and main rotor system were torn from the helicopter as a unit. The tail boom was severed, and the center frame sustained structural damage. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2005, about 0500 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N8554F, impacted trees following a loss of control while hovering near Brewster, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The purpose of the flight was to hover over a cherry orchard and use the helicopter's rotor wash to dry the cherries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Johnson Helicopters LLC of Homedale, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the other work use flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter departed from an open area near the orchard about 0435. According to the pilot, he was in a slow hover about 6 to 8 feet above the trees. While turning left, his foot slipped off the right anti-torque pedal. This resulted in his left foot applying left anti-torque pedal, and the helicopter began to spin to the left. The helicopter's skid landing gear contacted the trees, and the helicopter descended to the ground and rolled onto its right side. The transmission, mast and main rotor system were torn from the helicopter as a unit. The tail boom was severed, and the center frame sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8554F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8554F), registered now, S/N 6508, built 1966 (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: 6508 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Johnson Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Brewster, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,687 total, 597 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050619014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050619014059A), Jun 19, 2005: Bell 47G3B1, Brewster, WA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was drying cherries near Brewster, WA and his right foot slipped off the right anti torque pedal resulting in a loss of… ## Other investigations on N8554F (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 SEA67A0045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0045), Dec 14, 1966: Bell 47G3B1 (N8554F), Yachats, OR, 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. --- 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.