# NTSB BFO91LA018: Bell 47J2A, N8514P, Matoaca, VA, November 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1990, 13:53 local (18:53 UTC)
- Place: Matoaca, VA
- Coordinates: 37.260269, -77.389205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2603&lon=-77.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA018

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF FOUR PROPELLER RETENTION AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FORCED LANDING APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, taxi
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS EN ROUTE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. AN AUTOROTATION LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD WHERE THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS ONE-THIRD FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT FUEL TANK VENT WAS OBSTRUCTED WITH MUD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8514P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8514P-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 3313, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2a) (registry code 1181106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3313
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur J. Pryor
- Departed: NONE, LEXINGTON PARK, MD
- Destination: PTB, PETERSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,400 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC

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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