Bell 47G-5A accident near New Philadelphi, Ohio, June 1, 1982
On June 1, 1982 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Bell 47G-5A (helicopter), registered N2988W, was destroyed in an accident near New Philadelphi, Ohio. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 1982 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- New Philadelphi, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-5A · all 47G-5As on the register
- Registration
- N2988W · registry record · serial 25069
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE PATROLLING A POWERLINE, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT, WHICH SEEMED TO COME FROM DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FIREWALL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT, THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO PITCH UP AND ROLL TO THE RIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER REACHED AN ATTITUDE OF ABOUT 60 DEGREES NOSE UP AND 15 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, THEN ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. WITH THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED, HE WAS ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF THE POWERLINES, BUT CRASH LANDED IN THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED A FAILURE OF A BOLT, PN 20-057-4-15D, IN THE FORE/AFT CYCLIC SYSTEM.
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: 4,322 hours in all; 2,129 in this make and model; 233 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 3,707 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,758 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,930 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aero Patrols, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: Canton OH at 11:35 am
- Destination: Canton OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 162°F (72°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.