# NTSB WPR14CA280: Bell 47G, N684PC, Gaston, OR, July 3, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2014, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Gaston, OR - Coordinates: 45.606388, -122.892776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6064&lon=-122.8928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter as a result of a hydraulic hose becoming entangled around the right skid. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181029), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=1181029), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1181029), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1181029), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181029), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to perform a mosquito abatement aerial application. With the helicopter parked adjacent to the pond where the application was to occur, the helicopter ground crew installed a bucket and related dispersement equipment. They attached the hydraulic lines and straps, which were designed to connect in such a manner that they could be disconnected by the pilot in an emergency situation. The ground crew and pilot verified that the emergency features functioned properly and adjusted the hydraulic pressure. The bucket, located about two feet in front of the helicopter, was filled and the ground crew cleared the pilot for takeoff. The pilot raised the collective control and set his focus on a mirror affixed to the left skid in an effort to assess the bucket's height. As the helicopter lifted off, it lurched forward and, in response, the pilot applied aft cyclic. Despite the pilot's attempts, the helicopter continued to uncontrollably move forward and then assumed a nose-down attitude. The helicopter collided with terrain and rolled onto the left side substantially damaging the fuselage. Upon egressing the helicopter, the lead crew member showed the pilot that the hydraulic line was tangled around the right skid. The other crew members said that they observed the hose on the skid during taking off but, due to their vantage point, were unable to signal the pilot. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had raised the collective slower. He further added that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to perform a mosquito abatement aerial application. With the helicopter parked adjacent to the pond where the application was to occur, the helicopter ground crew installed a bucket and related dispersement equipment. They attached the hydraulic lines and straps, which were designed to connect in such a manner that they could be disconnected by the pilot in an emergency situation. The ground crew and pilot verified that the emergency features functioned properly and adjusted the hydraulic pressure. The bucket, located about two feet in front of the helicopter, was filled and the ground crew cleared the pilot for takeoff. The pilot raised the collective control and set his focus on a mirror affixed to the left skid in an effort to assess the bucket's height. As the helicopter lifted off, it lurched forward and, in response, the pilot applied aft cyclic. Despite the pilot's attempts, the helicopter continued to uncontrollably move forward and then assumed a nose-down attitude. The helicopter collided with terrain and rolled onto the left side substantially damaging the fuselage. Upon egressing the helicopter, the lead crew member showed the pilot that the hydraulic line was tangled around the right skid. The other crew members said that they observed the hose on the skid during taking off but, due to their vantage point, were unable to signal the pilot. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had raised the collective slower. He further added that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N684PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N684PC-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 6744 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G (3B2) - 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 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6744 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 7198 - Engines: Rolls Royce C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Western Helicopter Services Inc - Registered owner: Western Helicopter Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2014, 35 hours before - Departed: Gaston, OR - Destination: Gaston, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 962 total, 128 in this make and model, 924 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken ## 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 20140703010129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140703010129A), Jul 3, 2014: Bell 47G-3B-2, Gaston, OR, Substantial damage. After lifting off, spray bucket's RH hydraulic hose snagged the RH fwd skid at about 5 ft off ground. Helicopter attitude shifted fwd and helicopter moved fwd… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89602. 830 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 830 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416864&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, 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.