Bell 47G accident near Champion, New York, November 10, 1988
On November 10, 1988 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Bell 47G (helicopter), registered N2AR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Champion, New York. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT DUE TO A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT ACCOMPANIED BY A POWER LOSS AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 1988 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Champion, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- N2AR · no longer on the register · serial 569
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
PILOT SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT AND A POWER LOSS DURING A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 FEET. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO AUTOROTATE TO A LANDING BUT IMPACTED TERRAIN AND TREES. LOCAL WINDS WERE REPORTED AT 35 KTS GUSTING TO 45 KTS. POST ACCIDENT TEST RUN OF THE ENG FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS.
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, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 5,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,594 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 1, 1988; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6V-350-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 215° at 35 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.