# NTSB ATL95LA115: Bell 47G3B1, N101VB, Livingston, AL, June 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1995, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Livingston, AL
- Coordinates: 32.589778, -88.180335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5898&lon=-88.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA115

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined 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, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE RETURNING TO RELOAD THE AIRCRAFT WITH CHEMICALS, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO A FIELD, BUT THE THICK VEGETATION PREVENTED HIM FROM OBSERVING THE GROUND, AND THE HELICOPTER FELL ABOUT 20 FEET PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM OPERATING.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 1995, at 1600 central daylight time, a Bell 47G3B1, N101VB, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing near Livingston, Alabama. The commercial pilot received serious injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of CFR Part 91 by Morris Helicopters of Deatsville, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local agricultural flight.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing the helicopter engine make a popping noise. The helicopter was observed descending and turning toward an open area just prior to impact with the terrain.

The pilot stated that he was returning to the truck platform to reload with chemicals, when the aircraft engine lost power. He executed an autorotation into field, but was unable to see the ground due to the vegetation. He stated that the aircraft fell about 20 feet prior to impacting the terrain.

Examination of the aircraft engine revealed that there was continuity of the engine drive train. The induction system was clear of obstructions, and the air filter was intact. The carburetor throttle valve, main nozzle and venturi were intact. There was fuel found in the carburetor bowl, and the fuel was free of contamination. The engine spark plugs appeared to have moderate wear, and the electrode gaps were the correct spacing. The magnetos, and ignition wiring were examined and found to be operational.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101VB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101VB-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 3549 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3549
- Airframe hours: 12714
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Roy Morris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1995, 99 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 14,900 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 35 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 19950620017819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950620017819A), Jun 20, 1995: Bell 47G3B1, Livingston, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power returning for reloading hard impact in tall brush. No cause for power loss found. Fuel in carburetor.

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.