# NTSB MKC89LA181: Bell 47G-B3, N8471E, Waseca, MN, August 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1989, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Waseca, MN
- Coordinates: 44.079463, -93.500816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0795&lon=-93.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA181

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE), AND CROP (BEANS) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
  - run on landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG A RETURN FLT TO THE NURSE TRUCK AFTER AERIAL APPLICATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL WITH A TAILWIND WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO TURN INTO THE WIND, SO HE MADE AN AUTOROTATION WITH A TAILWIND IN A BEAN FIELD, MANEUVERING ONLY TO AVOID A POWER LINE. DRG THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AS THE PLT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC. A POST-ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8471E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8471E-1997-12-24), registration cancelled 1997-12-24, S/N 2654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-B3
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2654
- Airframe hours: 4807
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Churchill, Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 1989, 74 hours before
- Departed: WASECA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST, 40 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 19890815029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890815029849A), Aug 15, 1989: Bell 47G3B, Waseca, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to ag strip after spraying. Made run on no power landing in beans. Rotors chopped boom.

## Other investigations on N8471E (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 CHI83LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA264), Jun 17, 1983: Bell 47-G3B (N8471E), Litchfield, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC79FCD41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCD41), Sep 25, 1979: Bell 47G-3B (N8471E), Pierson, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN69D0071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0071), Aug 4, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N8471E), Dubois, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0008), Jul 27, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N8471E), Bondurant, WY, destroyed, 2 fatal
- [NTSB SEA67A0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0005), Jul 19, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8471E), Lakeview, OR, 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.

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