NTSB Factual Report

On May 25, 2011, about 1140 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N96SH, experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near Lakeville, Minnesota. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on a swamp near Lakeville, Minnesota. The certificated commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom when it impacted terrain during the forced landing. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Scotts Helicopter Services Inc under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Examination of the engine (Rolls Royce Allison T63A700, serial number AE-400951) by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office revealed that the Pc bleed line (from the governor to the fuel control) was leaking at the B-nut, which had come loose. The inspector stated that the operator had a spare engine at it facilities and that engine had torque lines painted onto the engine's fittings. The accident engine did not have torque lines painted onto its fittings.

The inspector stated that there is no requirement to use torque lines and that the new engine maintenance manuals now discuss the use of torque lines.

The time since the engine's last inspection was 59.4 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to a loose B-nut on the compressor discharge pressure bleed line.