# NTSB WPR09CA331: Bell 47G-3B-2, N8169J, Ocean Shores, WA, July 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2009, 05:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Ocean Shores, WA - Coordinates: 47.002223, -124.139442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0022&lon=-124.1394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74212 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74212/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74212 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA331 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis While maneuvering low over the harbor for an aerial application flight the pilot directed his attention inside of the helicopter to program the global positioning system (GPS). Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the water in a level upright position. Despite the pilot's control inputs the engine lost power and the helicopter slowly started to settle and roll onto its left side. The helicopter's main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and the main rotor head assembly were damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while maneuvering low over the harbor for an aerial application flight he directed his attention inside of the helicopter to program the global positioning system (GPS). Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the water in a level upright position. Despite the pilot's control inputs the engine lost power and the helicopter slowly started to settle and roll onto its left side. The helicopter's main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and the main rotor head assembly were damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8169J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8169J-2009-09-23), registration cancelled 2009-09-23, S/N 6775, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6775 - Airframe hours: 10307 - Engines: ALLISON 250 SER 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm & Forest Helicopter Service Inc - Registered owner: Farm & Forest Helicopter Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 2009, 14 hours before - Departed: KW04, Ocean Shores, WA - Destination: KW04, Ocean Shores, WA - Airport: KW04, Ocean Shores Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F - Observed at: HQM, 7 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 20090707011879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090707011879A), Jul 7, 2009: Bell 47G3B2, Hoquiam, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 7, 2009 N8169J, owned and operated by farm and forest helicopter service inc. received substantial damage when the pilot allowed the helicopter… ## Other investigations on N8169J (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA94LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA029), Nov 9, 1993: Bell 47G3B2 (N8169J), Toledo, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: TRANSMISSION SHEAR BOLTS FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ROTOR SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING HIS AUTOROTATION ATTEMPT. - [NTSB SEA74DYG50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG50), Jun 23, 1974: Bell 47G3B2 (N8169J), Clarkston, WA, destroyed ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74212. 534 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.