# NTSB DEN85LTG06: Bell 47G-4A, N1041B, Minot, ND, July 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1985, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Minot, ND
- Coordinates: 48.230834, -101.290733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2308&lon=-101.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ENGAGED BY A DEPUTY SHERIFF TO FLY THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 2-1/2 MI TO THE MINOT INTL ARPT FOR IMPOUNDMENT. DURING TAKEOFF, IT BEGAN CLIMBING, THEN THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 35 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. DURING IMPACT, THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED, THE SKIDS WERE BENT & THE FRONT OF THE GLASS CANOPY WAS BROKEN. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE HAD 1100 HRS TOTAL TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF HELICOPTER, BUT HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST 90 DAYS. HE HAD A RECENT MEDICAL EXAM, BUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DID NOT ISSUE A CERTIFICATE. DURING AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN, NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1041B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1041B-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 7653, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7653
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Haugen Contruction
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1983, 1,525 hours before
- Destination: MOT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N1041B (1)

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 NYC92FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA117), Jun 16, 1992: Bell 47-G4A (N1041B), Shelburne Falls, MA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

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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