Bell 47G-3B accident near Mullen, Nebraska, July 1, 2008
On July 1, 2008 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B (helicopter), registered N8468E, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mullen, Nebraska (Hooker County Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The plot's distraction with the chemical load resulting the failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor was no suitable terrain for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 2008 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mullen, Nebraska · Hooker County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B · all 47G-3Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8468E · registry record · serial 2647
- 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 airline transport rated pilot was performing his third takeoff of the day with a full load of chemicals on an aerial application flight. On initial climb the helicopter did not have sufficient power to maintain the climb and began to settle. The helicopter settled into a lake in approximately 5 1/2 feet of water. The helicopter remained upright and sustained substantial damage to the drive train and rotor system as well as extensive water damage. The pilot, sole occupant, was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. The pilot stated in the Pilot / Operator Accident / Incident Report that the accident could have been prevented if he would have paid more attention to flying the helicopter than being concerned with mixing and loading of chemicals.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 14,500 as pilot in command; 4,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,062 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435 A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 am from KTIF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.