# NTSB CEN17LA232: Bell-Tellijohn 47G, N90529, Hastings, MN, June 15, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 2017, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hastings, MN
- Coordinates: 44.7075, -92.851387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7075&lon=-92.8514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95377/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95377
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA232

## 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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1181013), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181013), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1181013), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181013), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90529](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90529), registered now, S/N NT1958-1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL-TELLIJOHN 47G (2)
- Registry model: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-tellijohn-47g-2) (registry code 1181013) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A2-KSER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a2-kser) (registry code 41518, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: NT1958-1
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 14407.7
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Scotts Helicopter Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Northland Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2017
- Departed: Hastings, MN
- Destination: Hastings, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KRGK, 17 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20170615009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170615009399A), Jun 15, 2017: Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2, Hastings, MN, Destroyed. Pilot had just completed an agriculture spray operation and was returning to the resupply truck. During the turn and pull up, the aircraft descended and…

## Other investigations on N90529 (3)

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 CHI98LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA291), Jul 30, 1998: Bell 47G-2 (N90529), Plainview, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's not achieving the proper descent rate prior to touchdown. A factor related to the accident was fuel starvation due to a low fuel level.
- [NTSB CHI90DCD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCD02), Aug 26, 1990: Bell 47G-2 (N90529), Wall Lake, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UPHILL TERRAIN WERE FACTORS.
- [NTSB MKC76FCD31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD31), Mar 17, 1976: Bell 47G-2 (N90529), Dows, IA, destroyed

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95377. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF
- Case Notes (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Case%20Notes-Master.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.

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