Bell-Tellijohn 47G accident near Hastings, Minnesota, June 15, 2017
On June 15, 2017 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1974 Bell-Tellijohn 47G (helicopter), registered N90529, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hastings, Minnesota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2017 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hastings, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell-Tellijohn 47G 2, built 1974
- Registration
- N90529 · registry record · serial NT1958-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After completing an agricultural application flight, the commercial pilot lost control of the helicopter, which subsequently impacted a field in a nose-low attitude. The pilot shut down the engine after the accident occurred. Postaccident examination of the helicopter wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The control rods were found fractured and exhibited damage consistent with overload. The pilot did not report why he lost control of the helicopter.
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
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Last flight review: July 2, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,407.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 5, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435A1F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Scotts Helicopter Service Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Hastings MN
- Destination: Hastings MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KRGK, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N90529 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 CEN17LA232.