# NTSB CHI07CA212: Bell 47G-5, N8140J, Jesup, IA, July 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2007, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Jesup, IA - Coordinates: 42.799999, -92.066665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8000&lon=-92.0667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Des Moines, IA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA212 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter when it unexpectedly encountered a whirlwind shortly after takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The helicopter impacted the ground following a loss of control when it encountered a whirlwind on takeoff. The pilot reported that he stopped spraying because the winds had increased. He stated that he landed and spoke with his ground crew then decided to fly the helicopter back to his home airport. He reported that the local winds were from the west-southwest at 12 mph gusting to 20 mph. He stated that he took off over a cornfield and had just passed through translational lift when he noticed a whirlwind in front of him and slightly to his left. He stated that the next thing he knew he was in the whirlwind. He stated that he felt the helicopter shake then it rolled to the right. The helicopter came to rest upside down in the cornfield. ## Factual narrative The helicopter impacted the ground following a loss of control when it encountered a whirlwind on takeoff. The pilot reported he stopped spraying because the winds had increased. He stated he landed and spoke with his ground crew then decided to fly the helicopter back to his home airport. He reported the local winds were from the west-southwest at 12 mph gusting to 20 mph. He stated he took off over a cornfield and had just passed through translational lift when he noticed a whirlwind in front of him and slightly to his left. He stated that the next thing he knew he was in the whirlwind. He stated he felt the helicopter shake then it rolled to the right. The helicopter came to rest upside down in the cornfield. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8140J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8140J), registered now, S/N 25008, built 1970 (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: 25008 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: RI Tel Copter Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Jesup, IA - Destination: Hudson, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,387 total, 3,690 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 17 ## 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 20070710016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070710016709A), Jul 10, 2007: Bell 47G5, Jesup, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he stopped aerial application operations because of high winds. Then he was attempting to take off and while at a low airspeed entered a… ## Other investigations on N8140J (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 CHI90LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA205), Jul 30, 1990: Bell 47G-5 (N8140J), Hudson, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. - [NTSB MKC71DCD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCD13), Jul 21, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N8140J), Conrad, IA, 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.