Bell 47 Safety Record

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.

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from a utility pole (obstruction) during aerial application. The obstruction was a related factor.

The pilot mismanaged his fuel supply which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were the lack of adequate altitude and airspeed to successfully execute an autorotation.

failure of maintenance personnel to perform an adequate inspection of the fuselage center frame and detect a fatigue fracture of a longeron tube on the upper left side of the center frame, which resulted in a disconnect of the tail rotor drive shaft from the transmission, loss of yaw (anti-torque) control, and a subsequent hard (emergency) landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

exhaustion of the aircraft's fuel supply, due to improper planning and/or decision. A factor related to the accident was the high density altitude which made a successful autorotative landing unlikely.

the pilot's encounter with of a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) situation, and his subsequent inadequate remedial action. Related factors included: wind conditions that were conducive to an unanticipated right yaw event, and the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.

an undetermined throttle problem, which resulted in a stuck (binding) throttle; and inadequate remedial action by the pilot, which led to a hard landing and subsequent nose over.

The pilot-in-command's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with hilly terrain. A contributing factor in the accident was the presence of fog.

inadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the seed bucket to become entangled with the right skid of the helicopter, resulting in an imbalance and loss of aircraft control as weight on the cable became effective. Lack of air/ground communication between the pilot and ground crew personnel was a related factor.

failure of the aft universal joint of the tail rotor drive shaft, due to inadequate lubrication by company maintenance personnel. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's delay in discontinuing the flight after noting a progressively worse tail rotor drive vibration.

the pilot's excessive cyclic control input during a low altitude operation, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from high vegetation (sage brush). The proximity of high vegetation was a related factor.

the pilot's misjudgment of clearance between the helicopter and the antenna. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's use of a drug (medication) that had sedative effects.

Failure of the pilot to apply carburetor heat following a loss of engine power due to inadequate altitude over a populated area. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with conditions favorable for carburetor icing.