# Accident 20140812012689A: Bell 47G-5, Mansfield, IL, August 12, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 12, 2014, 10:48 local time
- Place: Mansfield, IL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 1REG
- Location: 40.2025° N, 88.5114° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2025&lon=-88.5114&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7089J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7089J-2017-10-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-5 (registry code 1181032, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435-A1C (registry code 42197, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-a1c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435-A1C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,450 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA423) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140812012689A

## Narrative

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

WHILE IN CRUISE ON A SOUTHWEST HEADING, THE HELICOPTER CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TOP CABLES ON A SET OF HIGHLINES RUNNING NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST.  THE ROTOR STRUCK ONE OF THE LINES AS THERE WAS EVIDENCE MELTED INTO THE LEADING EDGE OF THE MAIN ROTOR.  ONE OF THE CABLES BROKE AND THE OTHER WAS STRETCHED CAUSING THE TOP OF A POLE TO BREAK.  HELICOPTER IMPACTED GROUND APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET SOUTHWEST OF THE LINES, UPSIDE DOWN ON A SOUTHEAST HEADING IN A BEAN FIELD KILLING THE PILOT.

## 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 CEN14LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA423), Aug 12, 2014: Bell 47G 5 (N7089J), Mansfield, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.

## Other reports on N7089J (4)

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

- [Incident 19910622043229I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910622043229I), Jun 22, 1991: Bell 47G5 (N7089J), Keystone, SD. Fuel starvation en route. Autorotated to safe landing. Low fuel warning light defective.
- [Accident 19900611028359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900611028359A), Jun 11, 1990: Bell 47G5 (N7089J), Shell Knob, MO, Substantial damage. Photographing a boat on a lake flew into a powerline, reported blinded by sun and did not see unmarked powerlines.
- [Accident 19740712021759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740712021759A), Jul 12, 1974: Bell 47G5 (N7089J), Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. MN rotor blade hit tail rotor drive shaft and tail boom.
- [Accident 19730603012149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730603012149A), Jun 3, 1973: Bell 47G5 (N7089J), Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. Simulated forced ldg. Flared too late,t/r hit stump in tall grass.

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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