# NTSB CHI84LA401: Bell 47G-3B1, N90543, Miss.Pal.St.Pk, IL, September 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1984, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Miss.Pal.St.Pk, IL
- Coordinates: 42.09032, -90.130928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0903&lon=-90.1309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA401

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER APRX 2 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION INTO TREES AS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA WAS AVAILABLE. THE 2 PASSENGERS ON BOARD STATED THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY BEFORE TAKEOFF. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS WHEN EXAMINED BY MECHANICS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90543](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90543), registered now, S/N 3451, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3451
- Airframe hours: 4867
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jay Brent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 1984, 71 hours before
- Departed: SFY, SAVANNA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 833 total, 400 in this make and model, 533 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Observed at: MLI

## 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 19840923050569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840923050569A), Sep 23, 1984: Bell 47G3B1, Savana, IL, Destroyed. Fuel exhaustion. Landed in trees. Failed to check fuel quantity after previous flight.

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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