# NTSB CEN11CA525: Bell 47G-2A, N7578, Nicolett, MN, July 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2011, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Nicolett, MN - Coordinates: 44.275276, -94.1875 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2753&lon=-94.1875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA525 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA525 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during an aerial application flight, he initiated a climbing turn, which he thought did not "feel right." He leveled the helicopter, stopped the turn, lowered the collective and added full throttle. The pilot stated that the rpm indication was in the bottom of the green arc. The helicopter began losing altitude and impacted a cornfield. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage when the main rotor separated a section of its tailboom. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the helicopter gained altitude and he started a turn during a low level aerial application maneuver. The turning maneuver did not "feel right." He leveled off and stopped the turn. He lowered the collective and added full throttle. The pilot stated that the helicopter's RPMs were in the bottom of the green arc. The helicopter began losing altitude and impacted tall corn. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage when the main rotor separated a section of its tailboom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7578](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7578), registered now, S/N 2674, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2674 - Airframe hours: 9561 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Scotts Helicopters Service Inc - Registered owner: Scotts Helicopters Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 2011 - Departed: Nicolett, MN - Destination: Nicolett, MN - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,123 total, 47 in this make and model, 2,068 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: ULM ## Other investigations on N7578 (2) 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 MKC78FER45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FER45), May 17, 1978: Bell 47G-2A (N7578), Arden Hills, MN, destroyed - [NTSB MKC76FTK02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FTK02), Jul 25, 1975: Bell 47-G2A (N7578), Keystone, SD, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81279. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.