11 Jul 2008: Bell 47G-3B — Reabe Spraying Service

11 Jul 2008: Bell 47G-3B — Reabe Spraying Service

No fatalities • Port Edwards, WI, United States

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter when he inadvertently flared the helicopter and the rotor rpm decayed as a result of sustaining bee stings during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accidnet included the bees and the low altitude.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was spraying a cranberry field. During a swath run, numerous bees entered the cockpit via the vent window. He was stung in the left arm twice, and as he tried to remove the bees, he inadvertently pitched the helicopter up. The helicopter climbed to about 35 feet above ground level and the rotor RPM decayed, and the airspeed went to about 30 MPH. The pilot attempted to return to level flight and added power, but he realized that the rotor RPM had decayed too much for a normal recovery. He reported that he "aggressively flared in an effort to reduce my groundspeed." During the flare, the tail boom struck the ground and then the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter yawed right and impacted the terrain.

Contributing factors

  • cause Effect on personnel
  • cause Incorrect use/operation
  • cause Prop/rotor parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 29 Jan 2026 — BELL 47G-3B NO SERIES (—)
  • 23 Feb 2024 — BELL 47G-3B-1 (ENGLISH AIR SERVICE LLC)
  • 6 Aug 2013 — BELL 47G-3B-1 (Speas Aviation Inc)
  • 6 Jul 2013 — BELL 47G-3B-1 (Reabe Spraying Service)
  • 19 Jun 2013 — BELL 47G-3B-1 (SCOTTS HELICOPTER SERVICES INC)

Same operator

  • 6 Jul 2013 — BELL 47G-3B-1 (Reabe Spraying Service)

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