# NTSB CHI84LA232: Bell 47G, N501H, Fairfax, MN, June 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1984, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Fairfax, MN
- Coordinates: 44.520717, -94.719619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5207&lon=-94.7196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA232

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - climb - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER PLT TURNED AT THE END OF A SPRAY RUN & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF A QUARTERING TAILWIND, THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & THE TAIL ROTOR HIT A WIRE. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION AFTER THE HELICOPTER SPUN A FEW TURNS, BUT IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ENOUGH TO RUPTURE FUEL LINES WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N501H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N501H-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 3560, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3560
- Airframe hours: 3560
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Leland Cain
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1984, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,562 total, 2,055 in this make and model, 2,369 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840613023939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840613023939A), Jun 13, 1984: Bell 47G3B1, Fairfax, MN, Substantial damage. Helicopter hit wires and crashed during aerial application operation.

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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