# NTSB SEA92LA067: Bell 47G3B1, N7920S, Miltonfreewater, OR, April 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Miltonfreewater, OR
- Coordinates: 45.900985, -118.339027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9010&lon=-118.3390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA067

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PRELIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT IN HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE THE FILLER HOSE WAS REMOVED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aerial application equipment - not removed (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING CONTINUOUS AERIAL APPLICATION FLTS FROM A FIELD SITE, AND HAD LANDED TO REFUEL AND RELOAD CHEMICAL.  HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH THE CHEMICAL FILLER HOSE ATTACHED, LOST CONTROL, AND THE ACFT LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7920S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7920S), registered now, S/N 6592 (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 0-435B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435b) (registry code 41519, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6592
- Airframe hours: 1672
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: R. Gary Knight
- Registered owner: R. Gary Knight
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1992, 99 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 902 total, 651 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALW, 13 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 19920402008299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920402008299A), Apr 2, 1992: Bell 47G3B1, Milton Freewate, OR, Substantial damage. Took off with chemical filler hose attached. Jerked helicopter out of control. Collapsed skid. Chopped tailboom.

## Other investigations on N7920S (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 SEA68D0310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0310), May 11, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N7920S), Jackson, MT, 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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