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Atlas / NTSB / ATL05CA161

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event ATL05CA161

2005-09-15 Summerville, Tennessee, United States Minor 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N8483E

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

BELL 47G-3B

Year of manufacture

1961 · 44 years old at event

TCDS

2H3 · SCOTT'S-BELL 47 INC

Engine

LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES (260 hp)

Seats / Engines

3 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19840719

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S ABA057

Registrant of record

OWENS JEFFREY H

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and roll over.

Factual narrative

"This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries." During takeoff, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck a tree 15 feet above the ground. The helicopter collided with the ground, rolled over and burst into flames. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2005_ATL05CA161.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.