Bell 47G-5 accident near Bunnell, FL
On August 4, 2004, a Bell 47G-5 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Bunnell, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 4, 2004
- Place
- Bunnell, FL
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-5 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.639°N, 81.227°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040811X01197
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 4, 2004, at an unknown time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, N232MC, registered to and operated by East Flagler Mosquito Control District, as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, crashed while maneuvering in Flagler County, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received fatal injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The director of East Flagler Mosquito Control District stated that the flight originated from Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida. This was the fifth aerial application flight of the day. At approximately 1030, the helicopter was fueled and flew north to an area called Pellicer Flats to spray mosquito control products. After it was determined to be 45 minutes overdue and could not be contacted, search efforts were initiated. Flagler Emergency Services immediately launched their helicopter as part of the search effort. At 1300, the aerial application helicopter was located approximately 12 miles north of Flagler County Airport, in a marshy/grassy area, just west of the intercoastal waterway in Palm Coast, Florida. The wreckage lay in about 2 feet of water. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Records obtained from the FAA show that the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings. He also held a private pilot certificate, with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He held an FAA second-class medical certificate, issued on November 21, 2003, with no stated limitations
Probable cause
The pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an in-flight failure of tail rotor drive shaft components, a loss of control, and the helicopter crash.
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Browse: Florida · 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.
