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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 9, 1991 · Bell 47G-3B-1 · N73998

Maple Grove, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Maple Grove, MN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-1
Tail Number
N73998
Operator
Churchill Scott
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91DER13

THE PLT SAID HE HAD COMPLETED AERIAL APPLICATION OF MOSQUITO CTL TREATMENT & WAS RTRNG TO THE LOAD SITE. THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 300 FT ABV THE GND WHEN THE PLT '...NOTICED IT WAS REQUIRING MORE RIGHT CYCLIC CONTROL TO KEEP THE HELICOPTER LEVEL, ALSO BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS IN ALTITUDE.' THE PLT NOTED THE ROTOR RPM HAD DROPPED TO 90%, BUT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS. THE ENG OUT AUDIO WARNING WAS PLACARDED 'INOPERATIVE' & THE PLT WAS AWARE THE OIL CHIP WARNING LIGHT WAS INOP. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. HE STATED '...DUE TO THE RIGHT CYCLIC INPUT I HAD TO LAND WITH A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT...THE RIGHT SKID GEAR SNAPPED, ROLLING OVER TO THE RIGHT.' AN INV REVEALED THE LEFT HOPPER WAS BLOCKED & STILL CONTAINED AN ESTD 100 TO 300 LBS OF MOSQUITO CONTROL AGENT. THIS LOAD RESULTED IN AN IMBALANCE WHICH WAS COUNTERED BY EXTREME CYCLIC INPUT. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED 'SEVERE EROSION' OF THE COMPRESSOR BLADES, AND HORSEPOWER PRODUCTION 'SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW PRODUCTION TEST SPECIFICATIONS.'

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FORCED LANDING. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, LOSS OF ROTOR RPM, THE ERODED COMPRESSOR BLADES, THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT, AND THE BLOCKED SPRAY EQUIPMENT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID HE HAD COMPLETED AERIAL APPLICATION OF MOSQUITO CTL TREATMENT & WAS RTRNG TO THE LOAD SITE. THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 300 FT ABV THE GND WHEN THE PLT '...NOTICED IT WAS REQUIRING MORE RIGHT CYCLIC CONTROL TO KEEP THE HELICOPTER LEVEL, ALSO BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS IN ALTITUDE.' THE PLT NOTED THE ROTOR RPM HAD DROPPED TO 90%, BUT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS. THE ENG OUT AUDIO WARNING WAS PLACARDED 'INOPERATIVE' & THE PLT WAS AWARE THE OIL CHIP WARNING LIGHT WAS INOP. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. HE STATED '...DUE TO THE RIGHT CYCLIC INPUT I HAD TO LAND WITH A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT...THE RIGHT SKID GEAR SNAPPED, ROLLING OVER TO THE RIGHT.' AN INV REVEALED THE LEFT HOPPER WAS BLOCKED & STILL CONTAINED AN ESTD 100 TO 300 LBS OF MOSQUITO CONTROL AGENT. THIS LOAD RESULTED IN AN IMBALANCE WHICH WAS COUNTERED BY EXTREME CYCLIC INPUT. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED 'SEVERE EROSION' OF THE COMPRESSOR BLADES, AND HORSEPOWER PRODUCTION 'SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW PRODUCTION TEST SPECIFICATIONS.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B-1
Tail NumberN73998
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChurchill Scott
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18C · Turboshaft · 260
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data