# NTSB CHI98LA198: Bell 47G, N73284, Le Center, MN, June 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Le Center, MN - Coordinates: 44.379184, -93.729118 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3792&lon=-93.7291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10913/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA198 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire which the helicopter contacted. ## 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) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was spraying along a creek bed when the main rotor/transmission assembly contacted a wire which was at an altitude of about 20 feet above the terrain. The helicopter then descended to impact with the terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Bell 47G, N73284, flown by a commercial helicopter pilot collided with powerlines during an aerial application flight in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot received serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The flight originated in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot reported that while spraying "ditch banks" the helicopter contacted a wire which was embedded in heavy vegetation. He continued to report "The wire broke & fouled the rotor blades. Then the aircraft & I hit the ground." An Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Minneapolis, Minnesota, Flight Standards District Office reported the pilot was spraying along a creek bed when the accident occurred. The wire which was contacted was approximately 20 feet above the terrain (creek bed) and the poles on which the wire was strung were hidden by vegetation. The inspector stated the pilot was aware of the wire, but did not see it during the swath run. He stated the wire twisted around the transmission and main rotor blades. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73284](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73284-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 2908, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2908 - Engines: Allison C-20B 300 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Teryjohn Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,122 total, 104 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19980610020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980610020299A), Jun 10, 1998: Bell 47G3B1, Lecenter, MN, Destroyed. During spray ops a skid caught on a power line. Cable wrapped around cockpit and rotor. Sheared tail. Hit a ditch.(.4) on June 10, 1998, at 1200 central… ## Other investigations on N73284 (5) 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 CHI91DER05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER05), Jun 11, 1991: Bell 47G3B1 (N73284), Lasalle, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED ALTITUDE ABOVE THE CROP. - [NTSB SEA80FYP34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYP34), Aug 23, 1980: Bell 47G-2 (N73284), Sunnyside, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA73FYG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FYG13), Sep 23, 1972: Bell 47-G2A (N73284), Selah, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal - [NTSB SEA71DVQ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DVQ16), Dec 21, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N73284), Sixes, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA68A0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0074-109548), Jun 27, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N73284), Lewiston, ID, destroyed 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.