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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 14, 2008 · Bell 47G-3B · N47AH

Kenyon, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kenyon, MN
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B
Tail Number
N47AH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08CA254

The pilot reported he had flown the helicopter on several aerial application flights earlier in the day, and that the humidity had increased as the weather cleared. He stated that the initial takeoff was normal, but that when he was about 100 yards from the support truck, the rotor rpm began to decay, and the helicopter settled into a soybean field. The spray boom caught in the crop, and the helicopter pitched forward, which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The aft section of the tail boom, including the tail rotor, separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction/failure with the helicopter. He did report that he should have decreased his load due to the weather conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the helicopter settling with power.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 2008, at 1045 central daylight time, a Bell helicopter 47G-3B, N47AH, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while taking off from a support truck in Kenyon, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The aerial application flight was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he had flown several aerial application flights earler in the day and that the humidity had increased as the weather cleared. He stated that the initial takeoff was normal. The pilot stated that when he was about 100 yards from the support truck, the rotor rpm began to decay and the helicopter settled into a soybean field. The spray boom caught in the crop and the helicopter pitched forward which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The aft section of the tailboom, including the tail rotor, separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction/failure with the helicopter. He did report that he should have decreased his load due to the weather conditions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B
Tail NumberN47AH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 435A/F · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time10:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data