# NTSB CHI94LA276: Bell 47G3B1, N64292, Sargeant, MN, August 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1994, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Sargeant, MN
- Coordinates: 43.799125, -92.799118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7991&lon=-92.7991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA276

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire during an agricultural spray run. A factor in the accident is the transmission wire.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD JUST COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN WITH THE HELICOPTER, AND WAS MANEUVERING TO START ANOTHER RUN. HE TURNED THE HELICOPTER TO MISS A GUY WIRE, AND IN THE PROCESS INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE A TRANSMISSION WIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A NEARBY FIELD.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1994, about 1100 central daylight time, a Bell 47G3B1 helicopter, N64292, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines near Sargeant, Minnesota.  The commercial pilot reported no injury.  The aerial application flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 137.

The pilot reported he was making a swath run and maneuvered to miss a guy wire.  During the turn to avoid the guy wire, the helicopter's main rotor collided with power lines.  The pilot was able to maintain partial control of the helicopter, and made a forced landing in a nearby field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N64292 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3730
- Airframe hours: 8690
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Agri Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 1994, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 203 total, 95 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °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 19940811021189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940811021189A), Aug 11, 1994: Bell 47G3B1, Sargent, MN, Substantial damage. Struck known object. Was operating off road next to spray field.

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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