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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 20, 1982 · Bell 47G-4A · N4090G

Near Brooten, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Near Brooten, MN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N4090G
Operator
Bonanza Valley Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA347

THE PILOT HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN A SPRAYING OPERATION FOR 2.5 HRS WHEN HE RETURNED AND LANDED ON A FLAT BED TYPE TRAILER TO SERVICE THE HELICOPTER. AFTER THE HOPPER WAS SERVICED WITH 60 GAL OF HERBICIDE, THE PILOT BEGAN HIS TAKE OFF. HE STATED THAT JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND YAWED TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CUSHION THE LANDING WITH THE COLLECTIVE, BUT THE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE MAIN ROTOR HIT A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES OF THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE, EXCEPT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SEVERELY WORN. AN ENGINE RUN-UP WAS MADE AND IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN A SPRAYING OPERATION FOR 2.5 HRS WHEN HE RETURNED AND LANDED ON A FLAT BED TYPE TRAILER TO SERVICE THE HELICOPTER. AFTER THE HOPPER WAS SERVICED WITH 60 GAL OF HERBICIDE, THE PILOT BEGAN HIS TAKE OFF. HE STATED THAT JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND YAWED TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CUSHION THE LANDING WITH THE COLLECTIVE, BUT THE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE MAIN ROTOR HIT A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES OF THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE, EXCEPT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SEVERELY WORN. AN ENGINE RUN-UP WAS MADE AND IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN4090G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBonanza Valley Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data