# NTSB SEA86LA182: Bell 47G3B1, N9417A, Albany, OR, July 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1986, 17:45 local (Jul 29, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Albany, OR
- Coordinates: 44.619716, -123.129928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6197&lon=-123.1299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A BELL 47G3B1 CRASHED INTO THE SOUTH SANTIAM RIVER AFTER CONTACTING POWER LINES WHILE ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE CFI (HELICOPTER) PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE PRIVATE PLT (AIRPLANE) HELICOPTER STUDENT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT REPORTED HE AND THE STUDENT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING 'CONFINED AREA' LANDINGS AND HAD DEPARTED ONE AREA FOR ANOTHER. DURING THE FLT HELICOPTER WAS FLYING DOWN RIVER INTO THE SETTING SUN. THE CFI BECAME AWARE OF THE PWR LINES ABOUT 5 FEET AHEAD AND WAS UNABLE TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE CFI REPORTED THE POWER LINES WERE UNMARKED AND HIDDEN BY SUNGLARE OFF THE COCKPIT CANOPY AND SHADE FROM TREES ALONG THE RIVER BANK. THE HELICOPTER FLIPPED OVER AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRES AND FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9417A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9417A-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 3808, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- 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: 3808
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pilot Personnel Int'L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1986
- Departed: S30, LEBANON, OR
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 347 total, 116 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 37 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 19860728036559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860728036559A), Jul 28, 1986: Bell 47G3B1, Albany, OR, Substantial damage. The helicopter struck powerlines during low level flight. The instructor reported that the sun obscured his vision.

## Other investigations on N9417A (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 SEA86LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA105), Apr 15, 1986: Bell 47G3B1 (N9417A), Albany, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA85LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA174), Jul 19, 1985: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N9417A), Lebanon, OR, 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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