# NTSB MKC90LA124: Bell B47G-5, N7089J, Shell Knob, MO, June 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Shell Knob, MO
- Coordinates: 36.630462, -93.629791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6305&lon=-93.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA124

## Probable cause

VISUAL OUTLOOK NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - vibration (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TAKING AERIAL PHOTOS OF A BOAT ON A LAKE, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS BLINDED BY THE SUN AND INADVERTENTLY COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED POWER LINES. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO FLY THE DAMAGED HELICOPTER TO NEARBY LEVEL TERRAIN AND LAND. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE AIRFRAME DURING THE SHUT DOWN, DUE TO IMBALANCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7089J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7089J-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 25032, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL B47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435-A1C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-a1c) (registry code 42197, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 25032
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Neodesha Helicopters Flying
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, SHELL KNOB, MO
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,372 total, 685 in this make and model, 4,158 as pilot in command, 229 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900611028359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900611028359A), Jun 11, 1990: Bell 47G5, Shell Knob, MO, Substantial damage. Photographing a boat on a lake flew into a powerline, reported blinded by sun and did not see unmarked powerlines.

## Other investigations on N7089J (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 CEN14LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA423), Aug 12, 2014: Bell 47G 5 (N7089J), Mansfield, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.
- [NTSB IAD75DKM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75DKM03), Jul 12, 1974: Bell 47G-5 (N7089J), Charlotte, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD73FKM43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD73FKM43), Jun 3, 1973: Bell 47G5 (N7089J), Charlotte, NC, 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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