# Accident 20030715015279A: Bell 47G5, Cleveland, MN, July 15, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 2003, 07:35 local time
- Place: Cleveland, MN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: CUHG
- Location: 44.3236° N, 93.7917° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3236&lon=-93.7917&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7925J, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7925J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-5 (registry code 1181032, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 12,900 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA210) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030715015279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JULY 15, 2003, AT 0735 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, A BELL, BHT-47-G5, OWNED AND OPERATED BY SCOTT CHURCHILL, STRUCK TWO POWERLINES WHILE SPRAYING HERBICIDE (24D) IN AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES SOUTH OF CLEVELAND, MN. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED, AND THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE COMMERCIALLY RATED HELICOPTER PILOT HAD ORIGINATED THE FLIGHT AT HIS BASE OF OPERATIONS IN LE SUEUR, MN APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA210), Jul 15, 2003: Bell 47G-5 (N7925J), Cleveland, MN, destroyed. 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.

## Other reports on N7925J (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19961006031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961006031079A), Oct 6, 1996: Bell 47G5 (N7925J), Nunda, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed during aerial application and aircraft crashed in the field. (-23) no narrative. (.4) during the second agricultural load, a total loss…
- [Accident 19921207056359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921207056359A), Dec 7, 1992: Bell 47G5A (N7925J), Belle Grade, FL, Substantial damage. During aerial taxi to reposition ag helicopter in ramp tail struck ramp. Lost control impacted in a spin.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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