Bell 47G-3B-1 N7924S

Summary

On 6 July 2013 at about 16:10 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N7924S, operated by Reabe Spraying Service, was involved in an accident near Plover, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 2013 at 16:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Plover, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

44.4319, -89.5589

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N7924S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Reabe Spraying Service

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plover → Plover

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA395

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper engine rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and ground impact.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the engine was at 3,200 rpm (full power) during takeoff. He completed the last aerial application pass, initiated a climb, and made a 180-degree turn. During the course reversal, the engine power was about 2,000 rpm. He was increasing the power during the rollout when the helicopter descended rapidly and impacted the field. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.