# NTSB CHI03LA210: Bell 47G-5, N7925J, Cleveland, MN, July 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2003, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, MN - Coordinates: 44.323612, -93.791664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3236&lon=-93.7917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA210 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter sustained substantial damage when it impacted a transmission wire and the terrain while performing aerial application maneuvers. The pilot reported he did not see the transmission wire until it impacted the windshield and deflected upwards towards the main rotorblades. The pilot stated the helicopter began to vibrate severely and descend. The helicopter impacted the terrain on its skids and rolled over onto its left side. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2003, about 0730 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, N7925J, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with a transmission wire and terrain near Cleveland, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed from a private airstrip near Cleveland, Minnesota, at 0725. The pilot reported he did not see the transmission wire until it impacted the cockpit windshield. The pilot stated the transmission wire deflected over the top of the cockpit and the helicopter started to "vibrate severely." He noted the helicopter started to descend and he "tried to pick [a] landing spot near [a] ditch in soft ground." The pilot reported he saw pieces of the helicopter that had been cut off by the main rotorblade "flying by the aircraft" prior to impact. The helicopter impacted on its skids and rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact with the wires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7925J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7925J), registered now, S/N 25041, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25041 - Airframe hours: 6372.7 - Engines: Allison T63A700 318 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Scott's Helicopter Services - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2003, 30 hours before - Departed: PVT, Cleveland, MN - Destination: PVT, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 12,500 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: MKT, 7 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 20030715015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030715015279A), Jul 15, 2003: Bell 47G5, Cleveland, MN, Destroyed. (-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… ## Other investigations on N7925J (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 CHI97LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA004), Oct 6, 1996: Bell 47G-5 (N7925J), Nunda, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque the six accessory drive bolts, which resulted in fatigue failure of the undertorqued bolts. - [NTSB MIA93LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA027), Dec 7, 1992: Bell 47-G5A (N7925J), Belle Glade, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER IN FLIGHT DECISION OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ATTEMPT AN AGRICULTURAL TURN WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ACCOMPLISH THE MANEUVER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S… - [NTSB MIA91TL#03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91TL%2303), Mar 27, 1991: Bell 47-G5A (N7925J), Titusville, FL, substantial damage 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.