# NTSB CHI86FA017: Bell 47G-5, N7840S, Plainfield, WI, October 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1985, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, WI
- Coordinates: 44.210868, -89.490989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2109&lon=-89.4910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel supply - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND NOSED INTO THE WOODED TERRAIN AFTER A LOSS OF POWR. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN REFUELED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACC. NORMAL FUEL LOAD WAS 20 GALS. THE PLT HAD SPRAYED 20 ACRES & FLOWN 9 MILES TO ANOTHER FIELD TO SPRAY BUT ABORTED DUE TO WIND BEFORE A RETURN TO ARPT. THE DAY OF THE ACC THERE IS NO RECORD OF FUELING. THE PLT TOOK UP THE OPERATION WHERE HE HAD STOPPED BUT AFTER SPRAYING 10 ACRES HE STARTED BACK TO BASE. HE HAD FLOWN APRX 1/2 WAY BACK WHEN THE ENG QUIT. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND HEARD THE ENG POP & QUIT & SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING BUT COULD NOT SEE THE ACTUAL IMPACT DUE TO OBSTRUCTING TREES. THE FUEL TANKS OVER THE ENG HAD BUST DURING THE CRASH AND THERE WAS NO FIRE OR EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE AT THE SCENE. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES OR HUMAN INPAIRMENT WAS REVEALED DURING THE INVESTIGATION EXCEPT EVIDENCE OF LACK OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7840S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7840S-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 7861, 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: 7861
- Airframe hours: 4325
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy W Reabe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1985, 400 hours before
- Departed: 8WI2, PLAINFIELD, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,930 total, 5,030 in this make and model, 6,810 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 30 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 19851027053999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851027053999A), Oct 27, 1985: Bell 47G5, Plainfield, WI, Destroyed. Struck trees after loss of power while returning from spray operation. Fuel was exhausted.

## Other investigations on N7840S (4)

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 CHI73DEP66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEP66), Jun 24, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N7840S), Appleton, WI, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC73FER04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FER04), Jul 5, 1972: EL Tomcat MK6B (N7840S), Miesville, MN, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72DER18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DER18), Aug 25, 1971: Bell 47G-5 (N7840S), Blomkist, MN, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX71DUM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71DUM06), Jul 19, 1970: Bell 47G5 (N7840S), Imperial, CA, 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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