# NTSB SEA97LA174: Bell 47G-3B1, N3069G, Idaho Falls, ID, July 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1997, 08:13 local (14:13 UTC) - Place: Idaho Falls, ID - Coordinates: 43.520263, -112.270309 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5203&lon=-112.2703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42663/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to verify the proper chemical and fuel load aboard prior to takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were: excessive fuel and chemical loading by ground personnel, tailwind conditions, and high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - loading of cargo - excessive, ground personnel (contributing factor) - refueling - excessive, ground personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot requested 15 gallons of fuel and 30 gallons of fungicide prior to takeoff, but was fueled with 40 gallons of fuel and 40 gallons of chemical by his ground crew. He then lifted off with a tailwind during which the rotorcraft settled to the ground, the right skid collapsed and the tailboom separated. The density altitude was approximately 5,500 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1997, approximately 0813 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B1, N3069G, registered to Ralph and Dina Reynold, and being operated/flown by a commercial pilot doing business as Eagle Aviation, was substantially damaged during an inflight collision with terrain while taking off from a site slightly northwest of the approach end of runway 02 at Fanning Field, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to have been an aerial application, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported to the Investigator in Charge that he requested 15 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff, but was fueled with 40 gallons of fuel by ground personnel. Additionally, he requested 30 gallons of spray chemical, but was loaded with 40 gallons by ground personnel. He also reported a tailwind upon takeoff. The pilot reported to an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office that he departed downwind with a full load of fungicide during which the helicopter settled to the ground, the right skid collapsed, and the tailboom separated. The pilot reported to the inspector that there were no mechanical problems with the rotorcraft. The pilot commented in the "Recommendation" section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (How could this accident have been prevented): "The loading crew paying more att(ention) and me as a pilot making sure they did what I asked." Density altitude at Fanning Field at 0746 on the morning of the accident was approximately 5,466 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3069G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3069G-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 3147, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B1 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3376 - Airframe hours: 5851 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wood, Milton, H., doing business as Eagle Aviation - Registered owner: Reynolds, Ralph & Dina - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Airport: IDA, Idaho Falls/Fanning Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 365 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IDA, 1 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 19970722019469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970722019469A), Jul 22, 1997: Bell 47G4, Idaho Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off downwind and settled back down on the runway. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.