# NTSB ATL92LA160: Bell 47G-2, N2880B, Slocomb, AL, August 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1992, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Slocomb, AL
- Coordinates: 31.109262, -85.589874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1093&lon=-85.5899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA160

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING DUE TO A POWER LOSS FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUSTABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT HAD COMPLETED SPRAYING A FIELD, AND WAS RETURNING TO HIS NURSE TRUCK. AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER TOWARD AN OPEN CORN FIELD, HOWEVER HE LOST ROTOR RPM WHILE AVOIDING OBSTACLES. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. ONE PINT OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2880B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2880B-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 1966, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1966
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Diamond, John J.
- Registered owner: Diamond, John J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 1992, 142 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SLOCOMB, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,454 total, 1,148 in this make and model, 1,243 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920815031379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920815031379A), Aug 15, 1992: Bell 47G2, Solocomb, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit returning to nurse truck for more chemicals. Stretched glide to miss obstacles. Hard impact. Out of fuel

## Other investigations on N2880B (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD77FKW27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FKW27), Aug 15, 1977: Bell 47G2A (N2880B), Jamestown, TN, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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