Bell 47G-2 N440TG

Summary

On 5 August 2001 at about 00:15 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N440TG, operated by Scotts Helicopter Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Blooming Prairi, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 August 2001 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Blooming Prairi, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

43.8597, -93.0500

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2

Registration

N440TG

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Scotts Helicopter Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blooming Prairi → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01LA259

Nobody was injured.

The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a the cruise portion of a CFR part 137 observation, and the pilot not following the height/velocity charts data.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power while performing an operation under 14 CFR part 137. The pilot and passenger sustained no injuries. The pilot reported, "Observation executed at 75' AGL [above ground level] and below 20 mph. Engine loss of power. Autorotation to neighboring soybean field. Damage to aircraft. No Injuries. Aircraft had 20 gallons of fuel and no agricultural treatment products on board." The accident engine ran during a test run. The temperature was 29 degrees C and the dew point was 23 degrees C. At 1915, the calculated density altitude was 3,025 feet. The temperature and dew point were plotted on the carburetor icing chart and their intersection fell in the serious icing - descent power area. The observation airspeed and altitude were plotted on height/velocity chart and their intersection falls in the avoid continuous operation area of the chart. The Bell 47G-2 flight manual stated, "PASSENGERS PROHIBITED DURING SPECIAL PURPOSE OPERATIONS. Persons other than minimum crew necessary for the purpose involved shall not be carried during special purpose operations in restricted category aircraft." FAA regulation section 91.313 stated' "Restricted category civil aircraft: Operating limitations. ... (d) No person may be carried on a restricted category civil aircraft unless that person- (1) Is a flight crewmember; (2) Is a flight crewmember trainee; (3) Performs an essential function in connection with a special purpose operation for which the aircraft is certificated; or (4) Is necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that special purpose."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.