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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 15, 2017 · Bell-Tellijohn 47G 2 · N90529

Hastings, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Hastings, MN
Aircraft
Bell-Tellijohn 47G 2 (1974)
Tail Number
N90529
Operator
Scotts Helicopter Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN17LA232

After completing an agricultural application flight, the commercial pilot lost control of the helicopter, which subsequently impacted a field in a nose-low attitude. The pilot shut down the engine after the accident occurred. Postaccident examination of the helicopter wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The control rods were found fractured and exhibited damage consistent with overload. The pilot did not report why he lost control of the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 2017, about 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N90529, experienced a loss of engine power near Hastings, Minnesota. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Northland Helicopters, Inc. and operated by Scott's Helicopters, La Sueur, Minnesota under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and which operated without a flight plan.According to information obtained by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, after completing an aerial application, the helicopter was in cruise flight for the destination. Initially, the accident was reported as a loss of engine power; however, later the pilot reported shutting down the engine after impacting in a field. The pilot stated that the helicopter impacted the ground in a nose low attitude with a right roll tendency. The wreckage was examined on scene by the FAA inspectors and they did not find any anomalies with the helicopter. Fractured control rods were retained and examined, and no preimpact anomalies were detected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell-Tellijohn 47G 2
Tail NumberN90529
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorScotts Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435A1F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 11 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data