# NTSB SEA86LA176: Bell 47G-3B1, N1197W, Burbank, WA, July 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1986, 20:00 local (Jul 23, 1986, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Burbank, WA
- Coordinates: 46.219478, -118.820648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2195&lon=-118.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing
  - visual lookout - not maintained, ground personnel (cause)
  - airport/facilities - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD LANDED FOR RELOADING AND WAS STATIONARY WITH ROTORS IDLING. A GROUND LOADER PERSON APPROACHED THE HELICOPTER OVER A SMALL SANDY KNOLL AND WAS STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR, SUSTAINING FATAL INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1197W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1197W-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 2951, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- 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: 2951
- Airframe hours: 5652
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Melvin W. Hood
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1986

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,541 total, 8,010 in this make and model, 7,610 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860722053419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860722053419A), Jul 22, 1986: Bell 47G3B1, Burbank, WA, Minor damage. Landed for aerial application reloading. A ground crewman approached over a knoll and was struck by idling rotors.

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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