Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Donaldson, Minnesota, July 6, 1985
On July 6, 1985 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N7856S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Donaldson, Minnesota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 1985 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Donaldson, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N7856S · no longer on the register · serial 6624
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHEN THE PLT APPLIED PWR TO LEVEL OFF WHILE ENTERING A SPRAY THE ENG DID NOT PRODUCE SUFFICIENT PWR TO STOP THE DESCENT.HE ATTEMPTED A RUN ON LANDING BUT THE UNEVEN TERRAIN CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER. INSPECTION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ACTUATING ROD FOR THE ACTUATOR TO THE WASTEGATE OF THE TURBOCHARGER WAS FROZEN TO THE HOUSING OF THE UNIT.
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, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 647 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 173 in the last 90 days; 586 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,431 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 22, 1984; 81 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TV0-435-D1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.