# NTSB BFO89LA049: Bell 47J, N6760D, Fruitland, MD, July 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 23:10 local (Jul 2, 1989, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Fruitland, MD
- Coordinates: 38.319797, -75.619789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3198&lon=-75.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA049

## Probable cause

POOR 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.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIALLY LANDED AT AN ARPT TO OBTAIN FUEL; HOWEVER, THE PUMPS HAD BEEN CLOSED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT & FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. HE DEPARTED THE ARPT & ELECTED TO LAND AT A CONVENIENCE STORE WHICH HAD FUEL PUMPS. DRG A LANDING AT NIGHT, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE WOODEN FRAMED CANOPY STRUCTURE WHICH COVERED THE FUEL PUMPS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER & IT DESCENDED & IMPACTED THE PAVEMENT. ABOUT 1 HR AFTER THE ACDNT, THE STATE POLICE ADMINISTERED A BREATHALYZER TEST, WHICH SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF APRX 0.13%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6760D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6760D-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 1780, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1780
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marc J. Wood
- Registered owner: Murry E. Markley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 1989, 13 hours before
- Departed: SBY, SALISBURY, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,940 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890701019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701019749A), Jul 1, 1989: Bell 47J, Fruitland, MD, Substantial damage. Unable to obtain fuel at airport. Landed at a store. Rotors struck pump wooden frame and crashed.

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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