Bell 47G accident near Bixby, OK

On May 24, 1998, a Bell 47G (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Bixby, OK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

May 24, 1998

Place

Bixby, OK

Aircraft

Bell 47G · Helicopter

Injuries

1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

35.940°N, 95.869°W

NTSB ID

20001211X10053

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 24, 1998, about 1815 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N9954F, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted power transmission wires and terrain during cruise flight near Bixby, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 local personal flight. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the sole passenger was seriously injured. The flight originated from a private residence in Haskell, Oklahoma. During a interviews conducted by the investigator-in-charge, witnesses reported observing the helicopter flying "slow," at an altitude below 100 feet agl, from east to west along the Arkansas River. The helicopter "struck power lines" that spanned the river, descended vertically, and impacted a sandbar. The witnesses further reported that the engine "sounded okay and it continued to run" until ground contact. The passenger reported that the flight departed Haskell between 1730 and 1800. They flew to the Arkansas River and started following it towards Tulsa. A few miles north of Haskell, they flew east from the river over a private airstrip and two small lakes adjacent to the airstrip. They then returned to the river and continued towards Tulsa. The passenger further reported that "when they saw the powerline tower supporting the cables that cross the river at the bridge on Memorial Boulevard, they talked and decided they would turn around and go back to Haskell." The passenger stated he didn't see the other power line, whi

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.