# NTSB CHI87DER06: Bell 47G-2A, N6786D, New Prague, MN, May 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1987, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: New Prague, MN
- Coordinates: 44.54005, -93.570114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5401&lon=-93.5701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DER06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DER06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

AFTER ABOUT A 5 MIN FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A DOWNWIND TURN ON AN AGRICULTURAL TURNAROUND. IMPACT WAS ON A HEADING OF 210 DEGREES. WIND WAS FROM 326 DEGREES AT 14 KTS, GUSTS TO 22 KTS. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF POWERPLANT, FLIGHT CONTROL, STRUCTURAL, OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DURING THE ON-SITE OR SUBSEQUENT AIRFRAME AND ENGINE EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6786D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2592
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Terryjon Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1987
- Departed: NEW PRAGUE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,505 total, 1,465 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 326° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 26 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 19870514013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870514013449A), May 14, 1987: Bell 47G2A, New Prague, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The agricultural spray helicopter impacted the ground and burned. Cause of the mishap is undetermined.

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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