# NTSB CHI90LA205: Bell 47G-5, N8140J, Hudson, IA, July 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1990, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hudson, IA
- Coordinates: 42.359008, -92.460464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3590&lon=-92.4605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA205

## Probable cause

IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

HAVING COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A FARM FIELD TO CHECK CROP CONDITIONS. HE SAID THAT HE LANDED HARD, HEELS OF THE SKIDS FIRST, RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXING DOWN AND CONTACTING THE TAIL BOOM AND TAIL ROTOR, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8140J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8140J), registered now, S/N 25008, built 1970 (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: 25008
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ritel Copter Service Inc.
- Departed: HUDSON, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,529 total, 1,119 in this make and model, 1,499 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900730029629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900730029629A), Jul 30, 1990: Bell 47G5, Hudson, IA, Substantial damage. Landed to check crop after ag operation. Nose high. Back of skids hit first causing main rotors to hit tail boom.

## Other investigations on N8140J (2)

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 CHI07CA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA212), Jul 10, 2007: Bell 47G-5 (N8140J), Jesup, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter when it unexpectedly encountered a whirlwind shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB MKC71DCD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCD13), Jul 21, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N8140J), Conrad, IA, 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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