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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

July 30, 1985 · Bell 47G-4A · N1041B

Minot, ND

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Minot, ND
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N1041B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LTG06

THE PLT WAS ENGAGED BY A DEPUTY SHERIFF TO FLY THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 2-1/2 MI TO THE MINOT INTL ARPT FOR IMPOUNDMENT. DURING TAKEOFF, IT BEGAN CLIMBING, THEN THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 35 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. DURING IMPACT, THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED, THE SKIDS WERE BENT & THE FRONT OF THE GLASS CANOPY WAS BROKEN. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE HAD 1100 HRS TOTAL TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF HELICOPTER, BUT HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST 90 DAYS. HE HAD A RECENT MEDICAL EXAM, BUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DID NOT ISSUE A CERTIFICATE. DURING AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN, NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS ENGAGED BY A DEPUTY SHERIFF TO FLY THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 2-1/2 MI TO THE MINOT INTL ARPT FOR IMPOUNDMENT. DURING TAKEOFF, IT BEGAN CLIMBING, THEN THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 35 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. DURING IMPACT, THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED, THE SKIDS WERE BENT & THE FRONT OF THE GLASS CANOPY WAS BROKEN. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE HAD 1100 HRS TOTAL TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF HELICOPTER, BUT HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST 90 DAYS. HE HAD A RECENT MEDICAL EXAM, BUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DID NOT ISSUE A CERTIFICATE. DURING AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN, NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MDT
Nearest Airport5nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN1041B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data