Bell 47G-5A N59424

Summary

On 26 September 1991 at about 21:20 local time, a Bell 47G-5A registered N59424, operated by Tiller Helicopter Service, Inc, was involved in an accident near Pearsall, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 September 1991 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Pearsall, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.8798, -99.0895

Aircraft

Bell 47G-5A

Registration

N59424

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Tiller Helicopter Service, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Alice

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW91LA166

3 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTACLES DURING OPERATIONS FROM A REMOTE SITE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

PILOT WAS ON A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT AND HAD LANDED IN AN AREA NEAR A ROAD TO REFUEL FROM THE OPERATOR'S TRUCK PRIOR TO THE LAST LEG OF THE DAY. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE SKIDS STRUCK POWER LINES HE HAD NOT OBSERVED DURING THE APPROACH OR TAKEOFF. FOLLOWING THE WIRE STRIKE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER, IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND WAS DESTROYED DURING A POST-CRASH FIRE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.