# NTSB ATL93LA075: Bell UH1F, N4040P, Gatlinburg, TN, April 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1993, 15:36 local (19:36 UTC) - Place: Gatlinburg, TN - Coordinates: 35.720634, -83.489883 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7206&lon=-83.4899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3199 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3199/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA075 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for unknown reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, cruise - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE FLIGHT DEPARTED GREENVILLE, TENNESSEE ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT TO DALTON, GEORGIA. WHILE FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 800 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, IN THE VICINITY OF GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED, AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED IN THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A TEST RUN OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE SHOWED THE ENGINE TO OPERATE AT NEAR FULL POWER, AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 1993, at about 1536 eastern daylight time, a Bell UH1F, N4040P was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during an emergency landing near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The commercial pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was owned and being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Ranger Helicopter Services, Incorporated of Roanoke, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the positioning flight. The flight departed Greenville, Tennessee at about 1440, and was destined for Dalton, Georgia. The pilot stated that, while in cruise flight at 800 feet, the aircraft engine lost power, and he was forced to execute an emergency landing. He stated that he observed a small road and attempted to land on the road. During the emergency landing, the aircraft hit trees and crashed into the terrain. Inspection and test run of the engine revealed that the engine started and ran at slightly less than full rated power. There was a fuel leak at the fuel flow divider. The fuel filters were removed and inspected, and small metal particles were found in the filters. The centrifical fuel purifier was found to be rotating in its housing. The fuel control unit was removed and inspected, and small metal particles were found in the filter. None of the fuel jets were found to be plugged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4040P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4040P), registered now, S/N 65-7911, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL UH1F - Registry model: [Bell UH-1F](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1f) (registry code 1181411) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-7911 - Airframe hours: 10653 - Engines: GE T58GE-3 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ranger Helicopter Services - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 12, 1993, 10 hours before - Departed: GCY, GREENVILLE, TN - Destination: DNN, DALTON, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,824 total, 2,104 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 60 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 19930416012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930416012539A), Apr 16, 1993: Bell UH1F, Gatlinburg, TN, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Autorotated to road. Hit trees. Metal in fuel filters. Filter rotated. Leaky fuel divider. ## Other investigations on N4040P (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 SEA05WA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05WA091), Mar 29, 2005: Bell UH-1F (N4040P), Banda Ache, Indonesia, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.