# NTSB MKC78FER45: Bell 47G-2A, N7578, Arden Hills, MN, May 17, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 17, 1978
- Place: Arden Hills, MN · ARDEN HILLS, MN
- Location: 45.0712° N, 93.1655° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arden Hills, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0712&lon=-93.1655&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC78FER45
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FER45

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2154  78/5/17    ARDEN HILLS,MN      BELL 47G-2A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 2400
        TIME - 1230                    N7578               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 497 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ARDEN HILLS,MN              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FRAYED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  120                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING TOWNS
          KIND OF CROP - MOSQUITO CONTROL                          TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  900                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - FIRST 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- TAIL ROTOR CABLE, BELL P/N4772227019 FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7578](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7578), registered now, S/N 2674, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780517022809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780517022809A), May 17, 1978: Bell 47B3, Arden Hills, MN, Destroyed. Tail rotor cable, Bell P/N4772227019 failed.

## Other investigations on N7578 (2)

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 CEN11CA525](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA525), Jul 27, 2011: Bell 47G-2A (N7578), Nicolett, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB MKC76FTK02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FTK02), Jul 25, 1975: Bell 47-G2A (N7578), Keystone, SD, substantial damage

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.