Bell 47G N862Z

Summary

On 10 September 2005 at about 21:40 local time, a Bell 47G registered N862Z, operated by Sissom and Woods Farms, Inc, was involved in an accident near Swifton, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 September 2005 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Swifton, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

35.8203, -91.1207

Aircraft

Bell 47G

Registration

N862Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Sissom and Woods Farms, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Walnut Ridge Re → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA235

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was sun glare.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 160-hour student pilot struck 4 electrical transmission lines while flying west bound at a low altitude. He stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he was headed west into the afternoon sun and did not see the power lines located along a gravel road with a tree line running north and south. The helicopter impacted the ground approximately 140 feet after contacting the wires, rolled and came to rest approximately 300 feet from the initial point of contact. The pilot unfastened his seat belt and egressed without difficulty. His passenger had problems unfastening his seatbelt and the pilot returned to the helicopter to assist the trapped passenger. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, winds from 130 degrees at 5 knots, temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter 30.05 inches of Mercury.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.