# NTSB CHI86FER13: Bell 47G-5, N94458, Elrosa, MN, July 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1986, 08:12 local (13:12 UTC)
- Place: Elrosa, MN
- Coordinates: 45.559429, -94.950057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5594&lon=-94.9501&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): 13329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FER13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER13

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS SEEN FLYING AT A LOW ALTITUDE BY WITNESSES AND APPEARED TO BE FLYING STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AND SOUNDED NORMAL. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION, 180 DEGREES FROM IT'S OBSERVED FLIGHT PATH. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACTUAL CRASH AND THE HELICOPTER, DUE TO THE TERRAIN AND SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE, WAS NOT LOCATED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94458](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94458-1994-06-13), registration cancelled 1994-06-13, S/N 7861RA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell-Ranger 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-ranger-47g-5) (registry code 1181033) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7861RA
- Airframe hours: 2141
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-25A 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 137
- Operator: Dennis Claire, doing business as Claire'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Willmar Aerial Spraying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: EL ROSA, MN
- Destination: PAYNESVILLE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,148 total, 45 in this make and model, 6,886 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AXN, 27 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 19860707031459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860707031459A), Jul 7, 1986: Bell STC47, Elrosa, MN, Destroyed. The helicopter impacted an open field. Suspect engine lost power or ilot incapacitation from spray chemicals.

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.