# NTSB SEA81FA035: Bell 47G-4A, N9457, Aberdeen, WA, May 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 19, 1981
- Place: Aberdeen, WA · ABERDEEN, WA
- Location: 46.9752° N, 123.8114° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aberdeen, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9752&lon=-123.8114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA81FA035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1012  81/5/19  NR.ABERDEEN,WA        BELL 47G-4A         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 1997
        TIME - 1115                    N9457               PX-  1  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 352 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ABERDEEN,WA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: EN ROUTE TO RELOADING AREA
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  325                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING FORESTS
          KIND OF CROP - FOREST-TREES                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -HILLY
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  200
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CRASHED DURING SITE RELOCATION.NO CHEM ABOARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9457](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9457-2004-02-19), registration cancelled 2004-02-19, S/N 7538, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- 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
- 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 19810519026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810519026839A), May 19, 1981: Bell 47G4A, Aberdeen, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter struck trees in wooded area. Crashed and burned. Cause unknown. No mechanical defects noted.

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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