# NTSB CHI98LA291: Bell 47G-2, N90529, Plainview, MN, July 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1998, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Plainview, MN - Coordinates: 44.160324, -92.159088 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1603&lon=-92.1591&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 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA291 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA291 ## Probable cause The pilot's not achieving the proper descent rate prior to touchdown. A factor related to the accident was fuel starvation due to a low fuel level. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Hard landing, emergency landing - proper descent rate - not obtained, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported he was in a 'hard right hand ag turn' when the engine lost power. The helicopter impacted the terrain hard during the resulting landing. Inspection of the helicopter revealed it was low on fuel at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1998, at 1630 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2, N90529, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Plainview, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injures. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed from a field near Plainview, Minnesota. The pilot reported he was in a "hard right hand ag turn" when the engine lost power. The helicopter impacted the terrain hard during the resulting landing. Post accident inspection of the helicopter by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Minneapolis, Minnesota, Flight Standards District Office revealed the helicopter was low on fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90529](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90529), registered now, S/N NT1958-1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2 - Registry model: [Bell-Tellijohn 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-tellijohn-47g-2) (registry code 1181013) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A2-KSER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a2-kser) (registry code 41518, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: NT1958-1 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Northland Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,215 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RST, 22 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 19980730019429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980730019429A), Jul 30, 1998: Bell 47G2, Plainview, MN, Substantial damage. Helicopter was involved in aerial application when the engine quit. The acft auto rotated to the ground. (.19) on July 30, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time,… ## Other investigations on N90529 (3) 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 CEN17LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA232), Jun 15, 2017: Bell-Tellijohn 47G (N90529), Hastings, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or… - [NTSB CHI90DCD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCD02), Aug 26, 1990: Bell 47G-2 (N90529), Wall Lake, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UPHILL TERRAIN WERE FACTORS. - [NTSB MKC76FCD31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD31), Mar 17, 1976: Bell 47G-2 (N90529), Dows, IA, 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.