Summary
On June 10, 1998, a Bell 47G (N73284) was involved in an accident near Le Center, MN. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire which the helicopter contacted.
On June 10, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Bell 47G, N73284, flown by a commercial helicopter pilot collided with powerlines during an aerial application flight in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot received serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The flight originated in Le Center, Minnesota.
The pilot reported that while spraying "ditch banks" the helicopter contacted a wire which was embedded in heavy vegetation. He continued to report "The wire broke & fouled the rotor blades.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI98LA198. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N73284.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire which the helicopter contacted.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 10, 1998, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Bell 47G, N73284, flown by a commercial helicopter pilot collided with powerlines during an aerial application flight in Le Center, Minnesota. The pilot received serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The flight originated in Le Center, Minnesota.
The pilot reported that while spraying "ditch banks" the helicopter contacted a wire which was embedded in heavy vegetation. He continued to report "The wire broke & fouled the rotor blades. Then the aircraft & I hit the ground."
An Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Minneapolis, Minnesota, Flight Standards District Office reported the pilot was spraying along a creek bed when the accident occurred. The wire which was contacted was approximately 20 feet above the terrain (creek bed) and the poles on which the wire was strung were hidden by vegetation. The inspector stated the pilot was aware of the wire, but did not see it during the swath run. He stated the wire twisted around the transmission and main rotor blades.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI98LA198