Bell 47G-3B1 accident near Lincoln, New Hampshire, September 30, 1984
On September 30, 1984 at about 5:03 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B1 (helicopter), registered N8588F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lincoln, New Hampshire. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. 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
- September 30, 1984 · about 5:03 pm local time
- Place
- Lincoln, New Hampshire
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B1 · all 47G-3B1s on the register
- Registration
- N8588F · no longer on the register · serial 6528
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT WAS BEING USED IN A PASSENGER SIGHTSEEING OPERATION WHEN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG CEASED TO OPERATE & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES. BOTH PASSENGERS ABOARD THE HELICOPTER OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED EMPTY PRIOR TO THE ENG STOPAGE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED LESS THAN 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.
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; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,527 hours in all; 793 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 1,452 as pilot in command; 7 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,288 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 1, 1984; 384 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Lincoln NH
- Destination: Lincoln NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; not recorded at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Observation at 1:00 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.