19890701019749A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Bell 47J · Fruitland, MD · July 1, 1989

Date: July 1, 1989 · 23:10 local
Place: Fruitland, MD
Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N6760D
NTSB investigation: NTSBBFO89LA049
Reported as: Bell 47J
Reported engine: Lycoming VO435A1D
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Pilot’s flight hours: 4,000 total2,500 in this make and model15 in the last 90 days

N6760DRegistration cancelled Jun 14, 2013 · Bell 47JS/N 1780 · Built 1959 Airframe modelBell 47J Engine modelLycoming VO-435 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Unable to obtain fuel at airport. Landed at a store. Rotors struck pump wooden frame and crashed.

As the FAA filed it

UNABLE TO OBTAIN FUEL AT AIRPORT. LANDED AT A STORE. ROTORS STRUCK PUMP WOODEN FRAME AND CRASHED.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB BFO89LA049Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFruitland, MDPoor judgement of the pilot by flying, while physically impaired by alcohol, and his misjudgement of clearance between the helicopter and the structure. The dark night and object (structure) were considered to be contributing factors.Jul 2, 1989 · Substantial damage