# NTSB CHI88DEM05: Bell 47G-2A, N440TG, Midland, MI, May 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1988, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Midland, MI
- Coordinates: 43.620044, -84.219879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6200&lon=-84.2199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAGE & CONCLUDED THERE WAS ENOUGH FUEL TO DISPENSE HIS LOAD. HOWEVER, AFTER SPRAYING OUT THE LOAD, HE STARTED TO RETURN TO THE LANDING SITE & THEN THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE HELICOPTER WAS OVER TREES & THE PLT HAD TO HOLD COLLECTIVE TO REACH A CLEARING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD & THE SKIDS, TAIL BOOM, TAIL ROTOR & TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N440TG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N440TG), registered now, S/N 2245, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2245
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agri-Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,260 total, 2,394 in this make and model, 4,130 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 20 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 19880531017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880531017279A), May 31, 1988: Bell 47G2, Midland, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route to loading site after a spray operation. A hard landing caused rotors to chop off tailboom

## Other investigations on N440TG (1)

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 CHI01LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA259), Aug 5, 2001: Bell 47G-2 (N440TG), Blooming Prairi, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a the cruise portion of a CFR part 137 observation, and the pilot not following the height/velocity charts data.

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.