Bell 47G-B3 N8471E

Summary

On 15 August 1989 at about 17:45 local time, a Bell 47G-B3 registered N8471E was involved in an accident near Waseca, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 1989 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Waseca, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

44.0795, -93.5008

Aircraft

Bell 47G-B3

Registration

N8471E

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waseca → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MKC89LA181

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.