Bell 47G-2 accident near Lisbon, Ohio, June 14, 1987
On June 14, 1987, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N984B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lisbon, Ohio. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 1987
- Place
- Lisbon, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N984B · registry record · serial 1382
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AS IT WAS LIFTING OFF FROM A TRANSPORT TRAILER. A POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIE-DOWN STRAP ON THE TRAILER WAS WRAPPED AROUND ONE OF THE HELICOPTER SKIDS. THE GROUND CREWMAN BELIEVED HE HAD REMOVED ALL OF THE STRAPS PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. THE PLT STATED HE HAD VISUALLY CHECKED ALL TIE-DOWN STRAPS DURING HIS PREFLT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE LEFT REAR TIE-DOWN STRAP (WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER) HAD NOT BEEN UNHOOKED PROPERLY. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A HANDS-ON INSPN OF THE STRAP MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE OCCURRENCE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,488 hours in all; 6,158 in this make and model; 62 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 6,272 as pilot in command; 840 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 20, 1987; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-A1F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 pm from CLE, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N984B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL87DEI05.