Bell 47G-2 accident near Franklinton, Louisiana, June 4, 2003
On June 4, 2003 at about 10:26 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N90485, was substantially damaged in an accident near Franklinton, Louisiana (Franklinton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover due to his failure to properly remove the tie-down strap on the right skid prior to takeoff. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and failure to abort takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2003 · about 10:26 pm local time
- Place
- Franklinton, Louisiana · Franklinton · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N90485 · registry record · serial 696
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter encountered dynamic rollover while the pilot attempted to takeoff. The tie-down strap did not give way and the helicopter rolled over to the right, impacting the ground. Examination of the wreckage by the operator revealed structural damage to the right side of the helicopter. The rotor blades were completely destroyed and the right skid was completely off of the helicopter. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the tie-down strap on the right skid was not properly removed prior to takeoff.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 794 hours in all; 590 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 740 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 28, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,480 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 2002; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,485 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming V0-435-A1F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2R7 Franklinton LA at 10:26 pm
- Destination: Franklinton LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 10:18 pm from HDC, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N90485 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 FTW03LA166.