# NTSB SEA87LA137: Bell 47G-3B-1, N73932, Cashmere, WA, July 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1987, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cashmere, WA
- Coordinates: 47.550514, -120.47969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5505&lon=-120.4797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING AERIAL APPLICATIONS MANEUVER A LOUD WHINE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. DURING FORCED LANDING A HARD LANDING WAS MADE COLLAPSING THE SKIDS WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND. NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73932 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2810
- Airframe hours: 8713
- Engines: LYCOMING TV0-435 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Cascade Helicopters
- Registered owner: Cascade Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1987, 104 hours before
- Departed: CASHMERE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 838 total, 489 in this make and model, 732 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19870706081139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870706081139A), Jul 6, 1987: Bell 47G3B1, Cashmere, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot raised nose to avoid trees ahead. Made hard landing. Rotor blades struck the ground. No defects found.

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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