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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 10, 1998 · Bell 47G · N73284

Le Center, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 10, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Le Center, MN
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N73284
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI98LA198

The pilot was spraying along a creek bed when the main rotor/transmission assembly contacted a wire which was at an altitude of about 20 feet above the terrain. The helicopter then descended to impact with the terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire which the helicopter contacted.

Full Narrative

On June 10, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Bell 47G, N73284, flown by a commercial helicopter pilot collided with powerlines during an aerial application flight in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot received serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The flight originated in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot reported that while spraying "ditch banks" the helicopter contacted a wire which was embedded in heavy vegetation. He continued to report "The wire broke & fouled the rotor blades. Then the aircraft & I hit the ground." An Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Minneapolis, Minnesota, Flight Standards District Office reported the pilot was spraying along a creek bed when the accident occurred. The wire which was contacted was approximately 20 feet above the terrain (creek bed) and the poles on which the wire was strung were hidden by vegetation. The inspector stated the pilot was aware of the wire, but did not see it during the swath run. He stated the wire twisted around the transmission and main rotor blades.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN73284
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C-20B · Turboshaft · 300
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data