# Accident 20050519034269A: Bell 47G3B1, Twin Brooks, SD, May 19, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 19, 2005, 18:15 local time
- Place: Twin Brooks, SD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: LPGG
- Location: 45.2306° N, 96.5661° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2306&lon=-96.5661&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8505F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8505F-2019-05-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-3B-1 (registry code 1181028, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,124 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI05CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA147) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519034269A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON MAY 19, 2005, AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15 PM CDT, A BELL HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT M/N BHT-47-G3B1, N8505F, OPERATED BY COMMERCIAL PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS FLYING DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS SPRAYING AT 15-20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AT AIRSPEED OF 43-45 MPH WHEN HE HIT SOME WIRES. HE STATED HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD DOWN THE TRACK AND THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CLEAN. THERE WERE NO RESTRICTIONS TO HIS VISIBILITY. HE SAW ONE POLE THAT WAS WAY OFF TO HIS LEFT IN THE DISTANCE. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE TREES OFF TO HIS RIGHT AND THE POLE WAS TUCKED DOWN IN THE TREES. HE DID NOT SEE THIS POLE. HE DID SEE THE WIRES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IMPACT. THE WIRES WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE BUBBLE AND HIT THE MAIN ROTOR SHAFT. THIS PULLED THE HELICOPTER DOWN AND HE CONTACTED THE TRACKS IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL AND TURNED OFF THE SWITCHES INSIDE THE HELICOPTER TO AVOID A FIRE. THE PILOT WAS ALONE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION UNDER CFR PART 137 (CERT. #LPGG) WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILE                         D AT THE TIME AND THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.

## 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 CHI05CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA147), May 19, 2005: Bell 47G (N8505F), Twin Brooks, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate lookout and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A factor was the low altitude at which the helicopter was operating.

## Other reports on N8505F (1)

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

- [Incident 19900112005469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900112005469I), Jan 12, 1990: Bell 47G3B1 (N8505F), Hebbronville, TX, Minor damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Autorotated to hard landing. Stated should have enough fuel for flying time.

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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