Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Maplewood, Minnesota, June 19, 2013
On June 19, 2013 at about 1:12 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N5024N, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Maplewood, Minnesota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2013 · about 1:12 pm local time
- Place
- Maplewood, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N5024N · no longer on the register · serial 6601
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter had completed aerial applications at two designated locations without incident. Recorded GPS data and witness information indicated that the helicopter then travelled north at a low altitude to another location. Witnesses observed the helicopter rolling or banking left and descending. The helicopter subsequently impacted a residential garage and terrain. A postimpact fire destroyed the helicopter's forward section and a majority of its control system components. An examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The helicopter was below the allowable maximum gross weight. The reason of the loss of helicopter control could not be determined.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,794 hours in all; 332 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 2,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,340 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 14, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250C10D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Scotts Helicopter Services INC
The flight
- Departed from: Maplewood MN at 12:55 pm
- Destination: Maplewood MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from STP, 4 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.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.