# NTSB CHI82DA171: Bell 47G-5, N7841S, Sublette, IL, May 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1982, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Sublette, IL
- Coordinates: 41.639087, -89.229927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6391&lon=-89.2299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA171

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 1 HR FROM ROSELLE TO SUBLETTE, IL, THEN IT WAS FLOWN ANOTHER 1/2 HR TO SURVEY THE AREA TO BE SPRAYED. ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING TO SPRAY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT STARTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO A ROAD. HOWEVER, DUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND BEYOND THE ROADWAY, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A GUARD RAIL AND CAME TO REST IN A LAKE. ACCORDING TO COMPANY PERSONNEL, FUEL EXHAUSTION HAD OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED AFTER DEPARTING ROSELLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7841S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7841S), registered now, S/N 7862, built 1967 (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: 7862
- Airframe hours: 5042
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Clarke Outdoor Spraying
- Registered owner: Clarke Outdoor Spraying
- Departed: SUBLETTE, IL
- Destination: SUBLETTE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12,100 total, 65 in this make and model, 11,700 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F

## 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 19820517016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820517016389A), May 17, 1982: Bell 47G5, Sublette, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Crash occurred during attempted emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N7841S (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 MIA70FLA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70FLA11), Mar 23, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N7841S), Jasper, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA70D0053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0053), Jul 5, 1969: Bell 47G-5 (N7841S), Hampton, TN, destroyed
- [NTSB DIA68D0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0204), May 9, 1968: Bell 47G5 (N7841S), Asheville, NC, 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.

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