Bell 47G-3B1 N3069G

Summary

On 22 July 1997 at about 14:13 local time, a Bell 47G-3B1 registered N3069G, operated by Wood, Milton, H., was involved in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 1997 at 14:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Idaho Falls/Fanning Field (IDA)

Coordinates

43.5203, -112.2703

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B1

Registration

N3069G

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Wood, Milton, H.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA174

Nobody was injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.