Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Lakeville, Minnesota, May 25, 2011
On May 25, 2011 at about 4:40 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N96SH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lakeville, Minnesota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to a loose B-nut on the compressor discharge pressure bleed line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2011 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeville, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N96SH · registry record · serial 2927
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering during an aerial application operation. He performed a forced landing to a swamp, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Examination of the engine revealed that the compressor discharge pressure bleed line between the governor and the fuel control was leaking at a loose B-nut.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Autorotation Loss of engine power (total)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine bleed air system › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,565 hours in all; 464 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 56 in the last 30 days; 2,499 as pilot in command; 1,028 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 10, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,752 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 22, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison T63A700 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Scotts Helicopter Services Inc
The flight
- Departed from: FCM Minneapolis MN at 4:00 pm
- Destination: Lakeville MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 4:00 pm from LVN, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN11LA370.