Event SEA89LA175

1989-09-18 MONITOR, Washington, United States Fatal 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N83111

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

BELL 47G3B2A

TCDS

2H3 · SCOTT'S-BELL 47 INC

Engine

LYCOMING TVO-435-GIA (280 hp)

Seats / Engines

3 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19750606

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S AB5EA6

Registrant of record

TOBLER HANS P

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N83111 Bell 47G3B2 Fatal

Probable cause & findings

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT SEPARATION FROM OBSTACLES ON THE GROUND. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE BRIGHT GLARE FROM THE RISING SUN.

Factual narrative

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A 35 FT. HIGH WIND MACHINE WHILE THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN, SPRAYING AN APPLE ORCHARD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TRAVELING TOWARD THE EAST, FACING A BRIGHT RISING MORNING SUN. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1989_SEA89LA175.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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