# NTSB SEA82DA072: Bell 47G-2, N11VH, Grandview, WA, May 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1982, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Grandview, WA
- Coordinates: 46.26099, -119.900047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2610&lon=-119.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA072

## Analysis

WHILE DISPENSING HERBICIDE (SYSTOX) OVER AN APPLE ORCHARD THE PILOT SENSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BINDING FOLLOWED BY A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO DUMP THE HERBICIDE AND PERFORMED A POWER-OFF AUTOROTATION LANDING IN A GRAPE VINEYARD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD HAD OVER HEATED AT THE BEARING JOURNAL, THE BOLT BROKE AND THE CAP SEPARATED AT THE PARTING SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11VH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11VH-2011-07-19), registration cancelled 2011-07-19, S/N 2027, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2027
- Airframe hours: 8125
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-A1B 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Valicopters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Valicopters,Inc.
- Departed: GRANDVIEW, OR
- Destination: GRANDVIEW, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,124 total, 7,292 in this make and model, 8,049 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 126 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSC, 33 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 19820518016599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820518016599A), May 18, 1982: Bell 47G2A, Grandview, WA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during autorotation after engine failure during spraying operation.

## Other investigations on N11VH (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 SEA99LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA149), Aug 26, 1999: Bell 47G-2 (N11VH), Benton City, WA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of certification and total…
- [NTSB SEA86LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA143), Jun 12, 1986: Bell 47G-2 (N11VH), Zillah, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA85LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA155), Jul 2, 1985: Bell 47G2 (N11VH), Roosevelt, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA84LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA132), Jun 14, 1984: Bell 47G2A (N11VH), Buena, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA82DA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA050), Apr 10, 1982: Bell 47G-2A (N11VH), Lyle, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74FPJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FPJ06), Aug 16, 1973: EL Tomcat MK5 (N11VH), Springer, OK, substantial damage, 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.

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