# NTSB DEN06CA124: Bell 47G-2, N23947, Hayden, AL, September 9, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2006, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, AL
- Coordinates: 33.88972, -86.749534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8897&lon=-86.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA124

## Probable cause

engine fire for reasons undetermined.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - engine(s) operating
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he had just performed an uneventful landing in his pasture and was allowing the engine to cool down before shutting it down. The pilot reported that one minute into the cool down, he reduced the throttle to seventeen hundred rpm. He felt  heat on his back and turned around to see fire coming from the engine. As the pilot was attempting to egress from the helicopter, he fell backwards, grabbed the cyclic stick with the engine still running, and pulled it to the left side as he slid out. The helicopter was entirely consumed by fire. Due to the extent of the damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he had just performed an uneventful landing in his pasture and was allowing the engine to cool down before shutting it down. The pilot reported that one minute into the cool down, he reduced the throttle to seventeen hundred rpm. He felt  "heat on [his] back" and turned around to see "fire coming from [the] engine." As the pilot was attempting to egress from the helicopter, he "fell backwards, grabbed the cyclic stick with [the] engine still running, and pulled it to the left side as [he] slid out." The helicopter was entirely consumed by fire. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter. Due to the extent of the damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23947](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23947-2008-01-23), registration cancelled 2008-01-23, S/N 2080, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2080
- Airframe hours: 4900
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2006
- Departed: 3A1, Cullman, AL
- Destination: Hayden, AL
- Airport: NA, Na

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 62; injuries: none; student; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 205 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: 3A1, 20 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 20060909019989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060909019989A), Sep 9, 2006: Bell 47G2, Hayden, AL, Destroyed. (-23) Approximately one minute into a two minute cool down the pilot reduced throttle to seventeen hundred rpm's. at this time the pilot felt heat on his back,…

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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