Bell 47G-2A accident near Sedalia, Missouri, August 17, 1985
On August 17, 1985 at about 9:40 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2A (helicopter), registered N3951U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sedalia, Missouri. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 1985 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Sedalia, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2A · all 47G-2As on the register
- Registration
- N3951U · registry record · serial 1376
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT WAS TAKING 2 PASSENGERS ON A HELICOPTER RIDE AT A FAIR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE ENCOUNTERED A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, SO HE REDUCED POWER & LANDED. BEFORE COMING TO REST, THE TAIL OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A VAN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE INNER BEARING (PN 47-620-605-001) OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE HAD FAILED, THEN THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. AD 81-04-03, AMENDMENT 39-4029 BECAME EFFECTIVE ON 2/2/81 TO REPLACE THE BEARING IN THE NEXT 600 HRS OF SERVICE. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER HAD ACCUMULATED LESS THAN 600 HRS SINCE THAT DATE.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,684 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 151 in the last 90 days; 6,494 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,302 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 22, 1985; 209 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming V0-435-A1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from COU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.