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July 25, 2012 · Scotts-Bell 47 47G-2A · N73252

Akeley, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Akeley, MN
Aircraft
Scotts-Bell 47 47G-2A
Tail Number
N73252
Operator
Scotts Helicopter Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA480

The agricultural helicopter pilot reported he was on a “clean up” pass and descending toward the field over a set of power lines when he experienced a slight yaw to the right and felt a slight vibration that seemed to be coming from the rear of the helicopter. When he began to apply left pedal input, the helicopter immediately entered an excessively nose low attitude with increased right yaw. After the pilot applied aft cyclic control, the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side. An examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no preimpact anomalies or malfunctions, and there was no evidence that the helicopter had impacted the power lines. The source of the vibration could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Attain/maintain not possible - C

Full Narrative

On July 25, 2012, about 1245 central daylight time, a Scotts-Bell 47 Inc. 47G-2A helicopter, N73252, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while spraying a potato field near Akeley, Minnesota. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Scotts Helicopter Service, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137, as an agricultural application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was on a “clean up” pass and descending into the field, over a set of 20 foot power lines, when he experienced a slight yaw to the right and felt a slight vibration that seemed to be coming from the rear of the helicopter. When he began to apply left pedal input the helicopter immediately entered an excessively nose low attitude with an increased yaw to the right. After the pilot applied aft cyclic control the helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side. The fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor were bent, crushed, and wrinkled. The tail rotor gear box and tail rotor separated from the helicopter. One separated tail rotor blade was observed 50 feet to the north of the main wreckage and the other blade was observed 50 feet to the south of the main wreckage. An examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no preimpact anomalies and there was no evidence of a wire strike. The source of the vibration could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftScotts-Bell 47 47G-2A
Tail NumberN73252
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorScotts Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 A1F · Reciprocating · 265
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.67 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data