Bell 47G accident near Saluda, SC
On September 19, 1997, a Bell 47G (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Saluda, SC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 19, 1997
- Place
- Saluda, SC
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.000°N, 81.769°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08894
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 19, 1997, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N70747, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, local instructional flight, impacted with a tree near Saluda, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed. The commercial-rated/certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot and commercial-rated, second pilot/owner were fatally injured. The flight had originated from Saluda Airport at an unknown time. About 1100, on the day of the accident, the second pilot/owner of the helicopter arrived at the Saluda Airport with the helicopter on a flatbed trailer. The CFI was to fly with the second pilot/owner and give him instruction so that he could obtain a helicopter rating. There were no witnesses to the preflight, takeoff, or the actual flight. Some people at the airport who knew the CFI, were aware that he was going to give the second pilot/owner instruction. They also had some knowledge that the second pilot had very little flight time in helicopters, and that his instruction would have to include all the basics of helicopter instruction including hovering and autorotations. Two watches that were found in the wreckage were stopped at 1410. About 1520, the local fire department was notified that there was a fire located about 1 mile northeast of the airport. The helicopter was found in a heavily wooded area, consumed in fire. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight approximately 33 degrees, 56 minutes north, and 081 degrees, 46 mi
Probable cause
in-flight collision with a tree, for undetermined reason(s).
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Browse: South Carolina · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
