# NTSB SEA87LA172: Bell 47G2, N74161, Grandview, WA, August 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1987, 18:52 local (Aug 21, 1987, 01:52 UTC)
- Place: Grandview, WA
- Coordinates: 46.260681, -119.899391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2607&lon=-119.8994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

AFTER THE COMPLETION OF SPRAY OPERATIONS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE HELICOPTER ONTO A TRAILER. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS POSITION, OVER-CORRECTED, AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, STRIKING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74161](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74161-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 1251, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1251
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Valley Copters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRANDVIEW, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 13,000 total, 3,713 in this make and model, 12,800 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870820066069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870820066069A), Aug 20, 1987: Bell 47G2, Grandview, WA, Substantial damage. Misjudged alignment trying to position helicopter onto a trailer. Rolled off the trailer onto the ground.

## Other investigations on N74161 (1)

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 SEA81FYP12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FYP12), Apr 2, 1981: Bell 47G-2 (N74161), Union Gap, WA, 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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