Bell-K Copter 47G-2 accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, April 28, 1993
On April 28, 1993 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Bell-K Copter 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N7766, was substantially damaged in an accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. 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
WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OF WIRES. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 28, 1993 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Walnut Ridge, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell-K Copter 47G-2
- Registration
- N7766 · no longer on the register · serial K-9123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING AGRICULTURE SPRAYING OPERATIONS THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A SET OF ELECTRICAL POWER LINES WITH THE TAILBOOM. THE WIRES CUT THROUGH THE SKIN AND CONTACTED THE TAILROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL THE PILOT REDUCED POWER BY ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE. TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE TO A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SAW THE WIRES JUST PRIOR TO CONTACT; HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT AVOID THEM
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: 846 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 801 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,455 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 1993; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-23CR (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.