# NTSB CHI99LA171: Bell 47G-3B-1, N64292, Austin, MN, June 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1999, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Austin, MN - Coordinates: 43.669471, -92.970283 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6695&lon=-92.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46547 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46547/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA171 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the helicopter, which precluded an emergency autorotation, and the crop field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - run on landing - attempted, pilot in command - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose down, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an aerial application maneuver, the helicopter had a loss of engine power. The pilot said the helicopter was flying about 40 MPH, and at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the ground, when the loss of engine power occurred. He was unable to conduct an autorotational landing due to the low altitude, and attempted a run-on landing. During the landing the helicopter nosed down. An examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1999, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N64292, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following loss of engine power. The accident occurred in a crop field, near Austin, Minnesota. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The aerial application 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed about 0945. The pilot said that the engine "overspeeded" and then quit completely. He said that he was conducting a swath run at the time and the helicopter was flying about 40 MPH at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the ground. He said he attempted to make a run-on landing; however, the skids dug into the soft terrain and the helicopter nosed down. He said then the main rotor blades cut through the tail boom. He could not account for the power loss. The owner had recovered the helicopter to his facility prior to notifying the NTSB of the accident. A post accident examination of the engine, transmission, clutch, and airframe failed to reveal any pre-accident anomalies. There was fuel present in the tank. Fuel filters and strainers were checked and found to be clean. The engine was started and ran. Oil pressure, fuel pressure, and manifold pressure showed indications. A magneto check was conducte4d and both magnetos functioned. The clutch was engaged and found to function. Control continuity was intact except for impact damage and functioned when activated. ## Aircraft - Registration: N64292 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3730 - Airframe hours: 9138 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Skytech Corp Of Mn., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1999, 70 hours before - Departed: NONE, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,298 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19990613007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990613007069A), Jun 13, 1999: Bell 47G3B1, Austin, MN, Substantial damage. 1968 Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter was involved in aerial application when it experienced engine failure, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in a… 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.