# NTSB CHI93LA268: Bell 47G-3B-1, N9010C, Elderon, WI, July 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1993, 19:40 local (Jul 22, 1993, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Elderon, WI
- Location: 44.7875° N, 89.2520° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elderon, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7875&lon=-89.2520&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA268

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE HELICOPTER.

## 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
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE FINISHED SPRAYING THE FIELD AND 'DEPARTED...AT 7:30 PM LOOKED AT MY STOP CLOCK AND DETERMINED ADEQUATE FUEL WAS AVAILABLE. ENGINE QUIT AT 7:37 PM.'  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF USEABLE FUEL IN THE HELICOPTERS FUEL SYSTEM.  THE ENGINE WAS SUPPLIED WITH FUEL AND OPERATED NORMALLY DURING AN ENGINE RUNUP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9010C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9010C-1995-03-08), registration cancelled 1995-03-08, S/N 2904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2904
- Airframe hours: 4485
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Central Wisconsin Helicopter
- Registered owner: Central Wisconsin Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1993, 39 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 1,900 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 18 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 19930721024879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930721024879A), Jul 21, 1993: Bell 47G3B1, Elderon, WI, Substantial damage. Lost power on returning from aerial applications. Autorotated but hit tail rotor landing. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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