Bell 47G 5 accident near Mansfield, Illinois, August 12, 2014
On August 12, 2014 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1971 Bell 47G 5 (helicopter), registered N7089J, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mansfield, Illinois. 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 pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2014 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mansfield, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G 5, built 1971 · all 47G 5s on the register
- Registration
- N7089J · no longer on the register · serial 25032
- 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 commercial pilot was conducting an agricultural application flight in the helicopter and had just completed spraying a field. A witness near the accident site reported that he saw the helicopter flying low and then pass a tree line when a wind gust lifted the helicopter up and to the left directly into power lines. Weather conditions reported at an airport in the area included wind at 16 knots gusting to 21 knots at the time of the accident. Separated power lines were observed near the accident site, and a witness mark was melted into the leading edged of a main rotor blade, consistent with it contacting a power line. Recorded GPS data were consistent with low-altitude operations near the accident site. Based on the evidence, it is likely that, while the pilot was flying low-altitude operations in gusting wind conditions, he failed to maintain adequate clearance from power lines. Toxicology testing detected the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in the pilot's urine and in his heart blood. Although some degree of impairment from diphenhydramine cannot be completely ruled out, the pilot's behavior on the day of the accident, as evidenced by GPS data that shows he flew straight lines and made good coverage of the fields during the spraying, was consistent with his level of skill and experience. Therefore, it is unlikely that the pilot's impairment from diphenhydramine contributed to the accident.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,270 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-A1C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Reynolds Aerial Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Mansfield IL
- Destination: Mansfield IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 16 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KCMI, 15 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.
Other NTSB records under N7089J the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.