NTSB Preliminary Report: Springtown, TX
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Location:
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Springtown, Texas
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Accident Number:
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WPR26LA247
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Date & Time:
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July 3, 2026, 12:10 Local
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Registration:
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N7985A
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Aircraft:
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Bell 47G
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The pilot reported that before departing for a local flight, he repositioned the helicopter to the fuel station. While preparing to refuel, the pilot discovered the fueling hose was too short to reach the helicopter. The pilot instructed the passenger to exit the helicopter so he could reposition it closer to the fuel pump. After lifting into a low hover, the helicopter turned, and the main rotor blades struck a tree. The helicopter then impacted a second tree. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter away from the fuel station, landed hard, and the helicopter rolled onto its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and main rotor blades.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while in a low hover.
Findings
Factual Information
History of Flight
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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56,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Left
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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Lap only
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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June 8, 2026
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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|
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 1000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 985 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N7985A
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Model/Series:
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47G
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1958
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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1022
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Franklin
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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6V4
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KAFW,707 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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15 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:00 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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87°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Few / 14000 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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11 knots / None
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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Wind Direction:
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180°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.05 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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33°C / 19°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Springtown, TX
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Springtown, TX
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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Kezer Air Ranch 61TE
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Runway Surface Type:
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|
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Airport Elevation:
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830 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry;Vegetation
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude, Longitude:
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32.982317,-97.620767(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Mills, Grant
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Gerald A. Dotson; Federal Aviation Administration; Irving, TX
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Original Publish Date:
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October 27, 2026
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203339
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