# NTSB CHI86FER14: Bell-Campbell CHG-2, N5235N, Brooklyn Park, MN, July 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1986, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Brooklyn Park, MN
- Coordinates: 45.100227, -93.299674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1002&lon=-93.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FER14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER14

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft/equipment inadequate, company maintenance personnel
  - inadequate surveillance,insufficient staff, company/operator mgmt
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - other (contributing factor)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AFTER MAKING THREE QUARTER-MILE PASSES OVER THE FIELD THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. THE PILOT STATED, PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN REFUELED BY A GROUND CREW MEMBER. ACCORDING TO THE GROUND CREW MEMBER, THE TANK WAS LOW AND HE HAD TO TIP THE TANK INORDER TO GET FUEL OUT. THE FUELER ALSO STATED THE CALIBRATED FUEL STICK, USED TO MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS, WAS NOT ON THE FUELING TRUCK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED VIRTUALLY NO FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALSO, A FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5235N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5235N-1993-12-22), registration cancelled 1993-12-22, S/N 2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL-CAMPBELL CHG-2
- Registry model: [Bell-Campbell CH-G2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-campbell-ch-g2) (registry code 118084F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435-23CR reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Paul A. Dagnon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1986

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,308 total, 240 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 90 °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 19860718034559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860718034559A), Jul 18, 1986: Bell 47G2, Brooklyn Park, MN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the helicopter landed hard. The fuel gauge had been removed for repair.

## Other investigations on N5235N (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 CHI80FEI38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEI38), Aug 22, 1980: Bell 47 (N5235N), Norwalk, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI76FEI04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEI04), Jul 19, 1975: Bell 47G-2 (N5235N), Celeryville, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW71FPG49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FPG49), Apr 20, 1971: Bell 47D (N5235N), Bradley, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW66A0037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66A0037), Oct 15, 1965: Bell CHG2 (N5235N), Vivian, LA, 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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