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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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July 15, 2003 · Bell 47G-5 · N7925J

Cleveland, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cleveland, MN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5
Tail Number
N7925J
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI03LA210

The helicopter sustained substantial damage when it impacted a transmission wire and the terrain while performing aerial application maneuvers. The pilot reported he did not see the transmission wire until it impacted the windshield and deflected upwards towards the main rotorblades. The pilot stated the helicopter began to vibrate severely and descend. The helicopter impacted the terrain on its skids and rolled over onto its left side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and low altitude flight when he failed to maintain altitude/clearance from the transmission wire. A factor contributing to the accident was the transmission wire.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 2003, about 0730 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, N7925J, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with a transmission wire and terrain near Cleveland, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed from a private airstrip near Cleveland, Minnesota, at 0725. The pilot reported he did not see the transmission wire until it impacted the cockpit windshield. The pilot stated the transmission wire deflected over the top of the cockpit and the helicopter started to "vibrate severely." He noted the helicopter started to descend and he "tried to pick [a] landing spot near [a] ditch in soft ground." The pilot reported he saw pieces of the helicopter that had been cut off by the main rotorblade "flying by the aircraft" prior to impact. The helicopter impacted on its skids and rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact with the wires.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-5
Tail NumberN7925J
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · T63A700 · Turboshaft · 318
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time12:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data