# NTSB SEA86LA168: Bell 47G2A, N12848, Chehalis, WA, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Chehalis, WA
- Coordinates: 46.619812, -123.000648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6198&lon=-123.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA168

## 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 - turn to reverse direction
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATIONS MANEUVER, A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE POWER LOSS WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BOLT. THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW FOR AUTOROTATION AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND TAIL LOW. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE THEN STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12848](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12848-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 2239, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G2A
- 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: 2239
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Waitsburg Helicopter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: CLS, CHEHALIS, WA
- Destination: WILDWOOD, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 126 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F

## 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 19860713033949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713033949A), Jul 13, 1986: Bell 47G2, Chehalis, WA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power and the helicopter struck crops during aerial spray operations. Connecting rod cap broken.

## Other investigations on N12848 (4)

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 ANC79DAA33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA33), Sep 3, 1979: Bell 47G-2 (N12848), Ruby, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI73DEV05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEV05), Jul 23, 1972: Bell 47G-2 (N12848), Murdock, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC71DHM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DHM06), Oct 12, 1970: Bell 47G2 (N12848), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX69D0232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0232), Jan 26, 1969: Bell 47G-2 (N12848), Redlands, CA, 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.

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