Bell 47G-2A-1 accident near Brasstown, North Carolina, June 28, 2021
On June 28, 2021 at about 5:20 pm local time, a 1968 Bell 47G-2A-1 (helicopter), registered N147AH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Brasstown, North Carolina (Brasstown Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inflight loss of control while conducting a hovering maneuver.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2021 · about 5:20 pm local time
- Place
- Brasstown, North Carolina · Brasstown Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2A-1 NO SERIES, built 1968 · all 47G-2A-1s on the register
- Registration
- N147AH · no longer on the register · serial 3774
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-helicopter rated pilot reported that he had departed from a stationary trailer and hover taxied in ground effect. Upon reaching a taxiway that was parallel to the runway, he lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground multiple times before coming to rest on its side. A post-crash fire ensued and the helicopter was destroyed. The pilot stated that he believed he lost control of the helicopter and it had been “running fine” before the accident. Witnesses stated they observed the helicopter lift off from the transport trailer and that once the helicopter cleared the trailer, “it got real wobbly.” The main rotor blades struck the ground two or three times and while continuing forward, the right landing gear skid tube “hit the ground pretty hard”. They said, “the helicopter then bounced back into the air, spun to the right (clockwise) and landed on its left side.”
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 maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Training › Total instruct/training recvd › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,810.4 hours in all; 14.3 in this make and model; 35.1 in the last 90 days; 17.1 in the last 30 days; 1,930 as pilot in command; 531.9 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 26, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,286 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 26, 2021; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,643 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435 (piston); 2,486 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 1:20 pm from PVT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 28, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Onsite Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.