Bell 47-D1 accident near Union, South Carolina, August 20, 2002
On August 20, 2002 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Bell 47-D1 (helicopter), registered N4702S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Union, South Carolina. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2002 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Union, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-D1 · all 47-D1s on the register
- Registration
- N4702S · registry record · serial B-101R
- 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 helicopter had completed an agricultural spraying flight and was in the processes of landing to refuel and re-load chemicals at a portable platform. As the helicopter approached the pad the tail rotor struck a trailer that was close to the pad, flipped forward coming to rest upside down on the other side of the trailer. The pilot had stated that he had no mechanical difficulties before the crash, and that everything was operating "normally." At the time of the accident there was about a 5 to 7 knot crosswind. The pilot was given an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form 6120.1/2, by the FAA inspector, but a completed form was not received.
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: 1,600 hours in all; 1,600 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 28, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2002; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6V35 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Union SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KGSP, 45 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N4702S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.