# NTSB CHI82DA336: Bell 47G-5A, N58077, Waconia, MN, September 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1982, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Waconia, MN
- Location: 44.8412° N, 93.7903° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waconia, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8412&lon=-93.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA336

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - collective - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN RELEASED BY THE MAINTENANCE SECTION AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING A SQUAWK CONCERNING A "BINDING COLLECTIVE." THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR (CFI) DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT AND FLEW ABOUT AN HOUR PRACTICING PRECISION HOVERING AND RAPID DECELERATIONS. DURING THE RAPID DECELERATINS, THE AIRCREW FELT A BINDING CONDITION IN THE COLLECTIVE AND MADE A NOTE TO INFORM THE MAINTENANCE SECTION. AFTER THE LAST RAPID DECELERATION, A CLIMB WAS MADE TO 1500 FT MSL. WHILE ROLLING LEVEL FROM A TURN AT 45 TO 50 MPH, THE AIRCRAFT SHOOK VIOLENTLY, A LOUD "BANK" WAS HEARD AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A DESCENT AS IF THE COLLECTIVE HAD BEEN SLAMMED TO THE BOTTOM. WITH THE COLLECTIVE FULL UP, ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM OVER THE GREEN ARC, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AS IF IT WERE IN A FULL AUTOROTATION. CYCLIC AND ANTITORQUE PEDALS WERE USED TO AVOID POWER LINES, BUT THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A TREE AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED AND BURNED. ONLY OVERLOAD FAILURE WAS FOUND IN THE COLLECTIVE COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58077 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 25109
- Airframe hours: 1756
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Training Center Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Training Center Inc.
- Departed: EDEN PRAIRIE, MN
- Destination: EDEN PRAIRIE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,592 total, 94 in this make and model, 2,297 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP

## 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 19820903043999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820903043999A), Sep 3, 1982: Bell 47G5A, Waconia, MN, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed into trees near pilots home. Blamed cyclic. No preimpact defect. Possible maneuver misjudgement.

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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