# NTSB SEA74DYG50: Bell 47G3B2, N8169J, Clarkston, WA, June 23, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 23, 1974
- Place: Clarkston, WA · CLARKSTON, WA
- Location: 46.4154° N, 117.0501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clarkston, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4154&lon=-117.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74DYG50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2180  74/6/23    CLARKSTON,WASH      BELL 47G3B2         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 1706
        TIME - 0500                    N8169J              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 104 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CLARKSTON,WASH              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1706                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING FORESTS
          KIND OF CROP - FOREST-TREES                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -MOUNTAINOUS
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  4600                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - SECOND 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT LOST GRD CONTACT DUE TO GLARE FROM SPRAY & SUN GLARE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8169J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8169J-2009-09-23), registration cancelled 2009-09-23, S/N 6775, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19740623018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740623018979A), Jun 23, 1974: Bell 47G3B2, Clarkston, WA, Destroyed. Plt lost grd contact due to glare from spray & sun glare.

## Other investigations on N8169J (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 WPR09CA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA331), Jul 7, 2009: Bell 47G-3B-2 (N8169J), Ocean Shores, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention.
- [NTSB SEA94LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA029), Nov 9, 1993: Bell 47G3B2 (N8169J), Toledo, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: TRANSMISSION SHEAR BOLTS FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ROTOR SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING HIS AUTOROTATION ATTEMPT.

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.