Bell 47G-2 accident near Blooming Prairi, Minnesota, August 5, 2001
On August 5, 2001, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N440TG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blooming Prairi, Minnesota. It was an aerial observation flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a the cruise portion of a CFR part 137 observation, and the pilot not following the height/velocity charts data.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2001
- Place
- Blooming Prairi, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N440TG · registry record · serial 2245
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power while performing an operation under 14 CFR part 137. The pilot and passenger sustained no injuries. The pilot reported, "Observation executed at 75' AGL [above ground level] and below 20 mph. Engine loss of power. Autorotation to neighboring soybean field. Damage to aircraft. No Injuries. Aircraft had 20 gallons of fuel and no agricultural treatment products on board." The accident engine ran during a test run. The temperature was 29 degrees C and the dew point was 23 degrees C. At 1915, the calculated density altitude was 3,025 feet. The temperature and dew point were plotted on the carburetor icing chart and their intersection fell in the serious icing - descent power area. The observation airspeed and altitude were plotted on height/velocity chart and their intersection falls in the avoid continuous operation area of the chart. The Bell 47G-2 flight manual stated, "PASSENGERS PROHIBITED DURING SPECIAL PURPOSE OPERATIONS. Persons other than minimum crew necessary for the purpose involved shall not be carried during special purpose operations in restricted category aircraft." FAA regulation section 91.313 stated' "Restricted category civil aircraft: Operating limitations. ... (d) No person may be carried on a restricted category civil aircraft unless that person- (1) Is a flight crewmember; (2) Is a flight crewmember trainee; (3) Performs an essential function in connection with a special purpose operation for which the aircraft is certificated; or (4) Is necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that special purpose."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,415 hours in all; 2,315 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 125 in the last 30 days; 2,415 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 14, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,180 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 18, 2001; 90 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Scotts Helicopter Services INC
The flight
- Departed from: Blooming Prairi MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 9 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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 N440TG 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.